Former Governor of Taraba, Jolly Nyame on Thursday closed his defence in his trial over a charge of N1.64 billion fraud in an FCT High Court in Gudu.
Nyame is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a 21-count charge of misappropriation of Taraba funds to the tune of N1.64 billion while in office.
Nyame, prior to closure of his defence, was the last witness of four.
Earlier, the EFCC prosecuting Counsel, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had cross-examined the witness over the purpose of his 2005 trip to South Africa, using the state funds.
In his reply, the former governor said that he could not remember the purpose of the travel.
Jacobs had produced the memo Nyame signed on the purpose of the trip which reads, “towards developing Taraba State’’, alleging that there was no specific reason for the trip.
The prosecution told the court that the trip was just one of the ex-governor’s jamborees as Taraba had no investment in South Africa.
The prosecution also produced the answer to a query given to the chief store keeper, Taraba Ministry of Finance by the permanent secretary in connection with N250 million Nyame approved for stationery.
The query letter was given to the Chief Storekeeper, Mr Muhammadu Yahi, for disclosing official information to un-authorised persons on the purported purchase of N250 million worth of stationery.
In his response, Yahi said that there was no purchase of stationery made, maintaining that as a storekeeper, he did not receive any stationery.
Jacobs also established that within a space of less than six months, Nyame had approved N470 million for stationery which he said was not normal.
He stated with evidence to prove that Nyame made these approvals between Dec. 2004 and October 2005.
He told the court that out of this money, N165 million was paid into a state contractor’s account which a certain Adamu Aboki, the ex-governor’s Chief Detail withdrew for Nyame.
Justice Adebukola Banjoko adjourned the matter till Dec. 5, for adoption of written addresses.
(NAN)