Ex-governor Nyame denies involvement in state transactions

chika ebuzor

September 21, 2017 6:47 PM

Nyame said this during cross examination by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

Former Taraba governor Jolly Nyame on Thursday told an FCT High Court in Gudu that he was never involved in state transactions during his tenure as governor.

Nyame said this during cross examination by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).

Nyame is facing trial for allegedly misappropriating Taraba funds to the tune of N1.64 billion during his tenure as governor.

The ex-governor also denied ever taking state funds apart from his entitlements which he listed as Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) and sick bills, among others.

He denied every other involvement with Taraba funds, including disbursement of cash.

He said as executive governor of Taraba, his responsibilities stopped at approval of memos.

He added that “funds were always requested through memos when there was need for them. I only get involved with public funds by approving the request made on the memo.”

Upon further questioning by the prosecution on what happen after approval, he said: “my role as a governor stops there.’’

He also said that he had no other transaction apart from approval of funds for disbursements.

The prosecution said Taraba Commissioner for Finance, Abubakar Tutare, had testified against Nyame about N250 million stationery scam where the former governor got N165 million as his share.

Rotimi Jacobs said the Permanent Secretary, Dennis Nev, had equally testified that Nyame asked him to send security votes to him in Abuja.

The prosecution produced a letter written and signed by the ex governor, directing the state’s finance commissioner to keep security vote.

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However, Counsel to the defendant, Olalekan Ojo, objected the relevance of the letter to the charges, but his objection was overruled and the letter was admitted in evidence.

Jacobs argued that security votes formed part of Taraba funds and had to be accountable for.

Justice Adebukola adjourned hearing at the instance of prosecution until Sept.25.

chika ebuzor