Jolly Nyame, a former governor of Taraba state has alleged that his
statement at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2007 was
forced out of him. Nyame is facing a
41-count charge bordering on criminal misappropriation of state funds amounting
to N1.64billion while he was the governor of Taraba state between 1999 and
2007. However at the resumption of hearing by the EFCC yesterday, November 18,
Nyame who was cross-examined by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacob (SAN),
said the statement was forced on him, Daily Post reports.
He said: “I was forced to sign because we could not
have proceeded. “I was there with them, they wrote what they wrote and I was
asked to sign. “They (EFCC) wrote and told me to abide by what they wanted me
to say or do. “We had an agreement that I will leave early.” But
when Jacob asked him (Nyame) why he had not complain until now since 2007 he
wrote the statement, he responded: “There
was no need because they had an agreement.” Nyame’s allegation comes
after the EFCC said at last week hearing that it did not obtain the statement
of former Gov. Jolly Nyame of Taraba by pressure.
A statement issued
on the trial by Wilson Uwujaren, the head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, stated
that an operative of the commission, Ishaq Salihu, disclosed this before the
court. Uwujaren said Salihu, a prosecution witness, who was led in evidence by
EFCC lawyer, Adebisi Adeniyi from Rotimi Jacob (SAN), Chamber, told the court
that Nyame’s statement was made voluntarily.
“Salihu was one of the investigators that took the statement of the
accused sometime in July 2007. “According to him, EFCC, as a law enforcement
agency, has great respect for professionalism and would not do anything to
either undermine people’s rights or the rule of law,” the statement said. Justice
Adebukola Banjoko has adjourned the case till today, November 19 for definite
defence.