Former Gov. Jolly Nyame of Taraba, has told an FCT High Court
that he did not benefit from the N450 million contract he approved
for the purchase of office equipment and stationery while in
office.
Nyame made the refutal on Monday when he was led in evidence by
his counsel, Mr Hassan Fagimite.
The ex-governor is facing trial on alleged misappropriation of
state funds to the tune of N1.64 billion while in office.
The court was told that while serving as governor, Nyame gave
approval in 2004 and 2005 that N450 million be expended on bulk
purchase of assorted office equipment and stationery for
distribution to ministries.
Nyame also refuted the evidence given by his Commissioner for
Finance, Mr Abubakar Tutare that he gave directive on how to spend
the first tranche of N250 million he approved.
Tutare had testified that Nyame gave instruction that out of the
first tranche of N250 million, N180 million should be paid into the
account of Salman Global Ventures Ltd., for the governor’s
benefit.
Tutare and other witnesses also testified that the former
governor had personal dealings with the Director of Salman Global
Ventures, an allegation which he also denied.
Nyame told the court that the company was selected to handle
contracts based on the needs of the state and that the process of
selection was handled by the ministries.
“I do not have personal contact with the contractors,’’ he
said.
Nyame told the court that he considered the evidence of his
former Commissioner for Finance and other witnesses as false.
He also denied the evidence given by prosecution witness number
six, one Mr Umar Negari.
Negari had testified that Nyame directed Salman Global Ventures
to issue a receipt in the name of the company covering the entire
N250 million, including the N180 million.
Nyame told the court that he did not give approval to the effect
that N165 million should be given to Salman Global for his
benefit.
He also denied the allegation that he ordered that N15 million
be given to the Deputy Speaker of Taraba House of Assembly while
N20 million should be used for the purchases.
He also refuted the allegation made by a witness that out of the
first N250 million, he directed that N70 million should be shared
among civil servants in the Ministry of Finance.
The judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, adjourned hearing on the
matter until July 4.
Former Gov. Jolly Nyame of Taraba, has told an FCT High Court
that he did not benefit from the N450 million contract he approved
for the purchase of office equipment and stationery while in
office.
Nyame made the refutal on Monday when he was led in evidence by
his counsel, Mr Hassan Fagimite.
The ex-governor is facing trial on alleged misappropriation of
state funds to the tune of N1.64 billion while in office.
The court was told that while serving as governor, Nyame gave
approval in 2004 and 2005 that N450 million be expended on bulk
purchase of assorted office equipment and stationery for
distribution to ministries.
Nyame also refuted the evidence given by his Commissioner for
Finance, Mr Abubakar Tutare that he gave directive on how to spend
the first tranche of N250 million he approved.
Tutare had testified that Nyame gave instruction that out of the
first tranche of N250 million, N180 million should be paid into the
account of Salman Global Ventures Ltd., for the governor’s
benefit.
Tutare and other witnesses also testified that the former
governor had personal dealings with the Director of Salman Global
Ventures, an allegation which he also denied.
Nyame told the court that the company was selected to handle
contracts based on the needs of the state and that the process of
selection was handled by the ministries.
“I do not have personal contact with the contractors,’’ he
said.
Nyame told the court that he considered the evidence of his
former Commissioner for Finance and other witnesses as false.
He also denied the evidence given by prosecution witness number
six, one Mr Umar Negari.
Negari had testified that Nyame directed Salman Global Ventures
to issue a receipt in the name of the company covering the entire
N250 million, including the N180 million.
Nyame told the court that he did not give approval to the effect
that N165 million should be given to Salman Global for his
benefit.
He also denied the allegation that he ordered that N15 million
be given to the Deputy Speaker of Taraba House of Assembly while
N20 million should be used for the purchases.
He also refuted the allegation made by a witness that out of the
first N250 million, he directed that N70 million should be shared
among civil servants in the Ministry of Finance.
The judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, adjourned hearing on the
matter until July 4.
Read more https://nairalaw.com/i-did-not-benefit-from-n450m-contract-ex-gov-nyame-tells-court/