How Magu’s action led to Nyame’s conviction
…EFCC investigation against ex-governor began in 2005
…Nyame heads for Appeal Court to seek redress
Strong indications emerged last night about how investigation carried out in November 2005 by the acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Magu, who was then the Head of Investigation Unit for the of the anti-graft agency, led to the arrest, trial and conviction of former Taraba State Governor Jolly Nyame.
Incidentally, Nyame, who was governor from 1991 to 1993 and 1999 to 2007, was arraigned before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in July 2007 by the EFCC.
The EFCC later charged him with 41 counts of criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation, taking gratification and obtaining valuable things without consideration.
A top source close to the EFCC boss confided in The Daily Times that the journey of Nyame to jail began with an investigation carried out by a crack team of the anti-graft agency in 2005 led by Magu. The source added that Nyame was later charged to court in 2007.
The source, who spoke in confidence, told our correspondent that when the investigative team arrived at Jalingo, the Taraba State capital in November 2005, Nyame was not available at the Government House. He was said to suddenly relocated to Jos, the Plateau State capital.
According to the source, the late Governor Danbaba Suntai, who was the then Secretary to the State Government (SSG), received Magu-led investigative team and assisted the operatives with all the necessary information.
The source said, ” A committee was there after set up with the inclusion of Suntai and others to look into the records of the state government and ascertained the amount that was misappropriated.
“It is is necessary to state that the late Suntai cooperated with the team. When the investigation was concluded, we discovered that a prima facie case was established against Nyame.
“But because of the immunity clause which Nyame enjoyed at that time, certain arrests were made while Nyame was not arrested. Those arrested gave useful information to the agency. The commission also took necessary action in some of the petitions written against Nyame by some stakeholders in the state.”
The Daily Times recalls that the EFCC’s case against the ex-governor was mainly on the allegation of N1.64bn diversion of Taraba State’s funds under his watch.
The trial, which commenced more than 10 years ago, was concluded in 2018 with the conviction of the former governor.
Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High Court sitting in Gudu had on May 28, 2018 Abuja sentenced Nyame to 14 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The judge also convicted the ex-governor on 27 out of the 41 counts contained in the charge filed against him by the EFCC.
Among other allegations, witnesses provided by EFCC said Nyame approved the diversion of various funds to the tune of N345 million to a company, Saman global, within five weeks in 2005.
Although Nyame denied knowing the company, the court found him guilty of breaching public trust after, noting that he confirmed approving the memo ordering a transfer of the funds to the said company.
Specifically, Nyame was sentenced to two, five, seven and 14 years in jail respectively after being convicted for four charges that include receiving gratification, obtaining public funds without due consideration, and criminal breach of trust.
But the terms are to run concurrently, meaning that Nyame will serve 14 years in jail unless a higher court decides otherwise. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Justice Banjoko, who read the judgment for a period of about four hours, sentenced Nyame to tmaximum punishment of 14 years for criminal breach of trust, without an option of fine.
She sentenced him to the maximum sentence of two years for misappropriation, seven years for receiving gratification and five years for “obtaining valuable things without consideration.”
Meanwhile, Nyame has signified his intention to appeal against his conviction at the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
One of the lawyers to convicted Nyame, Mr. Olalekan Ojo, confirmed the development. He said: “I can assure you that the case will be appealed. We have yet to receive the judgment but be assured that we will appeal the matter. He has instructed me to appeal the matter”.
