Ex-Taraba Governor Jolly Nyame loses bid to quash N1.64bn fraud charge

An FCT High Court sitting in Gudu on Tuesday ordered former Taraba state governor, Jolly Nyame to enter his defence in the N1.64 billion fraud charge preferred against him.

The trial judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko in ruling against Nyame’s no-case submission, held that the prosecution has been able to establish through its evidence that Nyame has a case to answer.

The court held that "a prima facie has been established against the defendant and he is hereby ordered by the court to enter his defence".

The court thereafter fixed March 8, 2017 for the defendant to commence his defence which will run on day-to-day basis in compliance with the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is trying Nyame for allegedly misappropriating N1.64 billion state funds while he was governor of Taraba state.

Upon the closing of the prosecution case on November 27, 2016 after presenting 14 witnesses against Nyame, the defence told the court that it intended to file a “no case” submission, as it believed that there was no prima facie case established against Nyame.

At the resumed sitting, both the prosecution and the defence adopted their written addresses, and gave oral arguments.

Charles Edosomwan (SAN) counsel for Mr. Nyame, alluded to the fact that “crucial elements are missing in this case”, and urged the court to “hold that the testimony of prosecution witnesses have been so damaged and can’t be relied on”.

He further argued that there was no direct link between Mr. Nyame and a house allegedly procured by him using the diverted state funds, noting that “nobody tendered registered documents linking him to it”.

Prosecuting counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, however, countered Mr. Edosomwan’s submission, noting that “a prima facie case had indeed been established against Nyame after the prosecution called 14 witnesses who testified to how they assisted him to divert state funds”.