N1.6bn fraud: Agency denies obtaining ex-Gov Nyame's statement under duress

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said on Thursday that it did not obtain the statement of former Gov. Jolly Nyame of Taraba by duress.

The commission stated this at the resumed trial of Nyame on alleged stealing of N1.64 billion before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of an FCT High Court sitting in Gudu.

A statement issued on the trial by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, the Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, stated that an operative of the commission, Ishaq Salihu, disclosed this before the court.

Uwujaren said Salihu, a prosecution witness, who was led in evidence by EFCC lawyer, Adebisi Adeniyi from Rotimi Jacob (SAN), Chamber, told the court that Nyame’s statement was made voluntarily.

"Salihu was one of the investigators that took the statement of the accused sometime in July 2007.

"According to him, EFCC, as a law enforcement agency, has great respect for professionalism and would not do anything to either undermine people’s rights or the rule of law’’, the statement said.

According to the statement, the witness maintained that Nyame’s statement was voluntary when he was being cross-examined by the defence counsel, Mr Sikiru Adewoye.

Nyame, according to the statement, is facing a 41-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation of state funds.