Reverend Jolly Nyame (ex-governor Of Taraba State) Stole N1.6 Billion - Efcc

EFCC accused the former governor of Taraba State, Reverend Jolly Nyame, of stealing N1.64 billion belonging to the state between 1999 and 2007.

Nyame was a three-term governor of the state, having first ruled between 1991 and 1993, before securing another two terms from 1999 to 2007.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and his counsel moved an application for his bail on the grounds that the offences were bailable in law. He was ordered remanded in prison custody by the court.

The judge said that considering all the evidence before the court, there is a prima facie case against the former governor, adding that the offence relating to corruption attracts 14 years jail term and can therefore pass for a case that is serious in law.

The EFCC counsel also told the court that from the findings of the commission, the accused person will not will make himself available for trial, adding that he may also interfere with the witness.

His father , Mr. Tavoro Nyame, was also summoned by the EFCC to Abuja yesterday for questioning in connection with the recent arrest of the ex-governor.

Nyame is facing a 41-count charge.

The charge sheet against him reads: "That you Jolly Tevoru Nyame between January and February, 2005 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High court of the Federal Capital Territory, while being the Governor of Taraba State of Nigeria and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property to wit: the sum of N250,000,000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) meant for the purchase of stationery by the Taraba State Government committed breach of trust in respect of the said sum and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

*That you Jolly Tevoru Nyame on or about April 11 2007 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: the sum of N32,300,000.00 [Thirty-two million, three hundred thousand naira] belonging to the Taraba State Government which sum was purportedly meant for the preparation for the visit by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 309 of the penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

*That you Jolly Tevoru Nyame on or about April 3, April 2005 at Abuja in the judicial division of the, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, while being the Governor of Taraba State of Nigeria accepted from one Abubakar Suleiman of Alusab International Nigeria, Limited, a gratification in the sum of N80,000,000.00 (Eight Million) and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 119 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990.

*That you Jolly Tevoru Nyame on or about July 8, 2005 at Abuja in the judicial division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, while being the Governor of Taraba State of Nigeria and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: the sum of N24, 300,000.00 (Twenty four million, three hundred thousand naira) meant for the purchase of grains by the Taraba State Government, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said sum and you thereby committed an offence punishable under section 315 of the Penal Code Act Cap 532 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 1990."

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