FORMER TARABA GOVERNOR, JOLLY NYAME JAILED 14 YEARS OVER FINANCIAL FRAUD
Penpushing recalled that Nyame’s case was brought before the court in 2007, having being charged on a 41-count for allegedly diverting N1.64 billion while he served as Governor of the State between 1999 and 2007.
At the hearing, the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), presented various witnesses who alluded to the fact that Nyame approved the diversion of various funds amounting to over N345 million to a company, Saman Global, within five weeks in 2005, among other allegations.
The former Governor in his claim said that he never knew the said company, but the court found him guilty of breaching public trust after noting that the he (Nyame) confirmed approving the memo wherein the order for the transfer of the funds was made.
Penpushing reports that the judge, Adebukola Bankole, pointed out that the actions of the perpetrators under the watch of the ex-governor can be likened to the story of Alibaba and the 40 thieves, while the court held that Nyame is guilty of over half of the charges.
Penpushing also recalled that, an application by the defendant for a no-case submission was dismissed in March after the judge ruled that the former Governor had good reason to enter his defence.
