A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Abuja on Wednesday last week sentenced former Taraba State Governor Jolly Nyame to 14 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine and ordered him to refund monies diverted from the public till. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Nyame on a 41-count charge of criminal misappropriation, diversion of public funds and breach of public trust. Justice Adebukola Banjoko found him guilty on 27 of the charges.
The former governor’s trial began in 2007 when EFCC charged him to court for allegedly diverting N1.64 billion. The anti-graft agency accused Nyame of spearheading the fraudulent transfer of N250 million from the Taraba State treasury to a company, Saman Global, for the purchase of office equipment and stationeries that were never delivered. He was also accused of fraudulently enriching himself and abusing public trust.
In a judgment that lasted over 4 hours, Justice Banjoko gave a holistic overview of the testimonies given. As the ruling was read, Nyame who was asked by the judge to remain standing seemed undeterred. The judge expressed her disappointment at the conduct of the accused. She said the evidence against the defendant was overwhelming. She said, “I’m morally outraged by the facts of this case. The people of Taraba State elected the defendant, a clergy man, on three different occasions” because of the piety expected of a Reverend.
The judge the ound Nyame guilty of criminal breach of trust, receiving of gratification, obtaining without due consideration and misappropriation of public funds. The judge said one of such crimes included N100 million which the accused withdrew from the state treasury in order to host former President Olusegun Obasanjo who paid a one-day visit in 2007 to Taraba state.
- Justice Banjoko said Nyame and his officials “behaved like common thieves with unbridled and insatiable thirst.” She said, “his sentence will serve as a deterrent to other public office holders.” The judge lamented that none of the Taraba State Ministry of Finance officials with culpability in the case was arraigned.
The period Nyame’s trial lasted was long enough for him to have served the 14- year jail term handed down last week. Although the trial lasted 11 years, we commend the judge because the case is better resolved than never. The judiciary must improve upon the period it takes to conclude trials especially of corruption cases. In the trial of former governors, none has ever been convicted by a Nigerian court except Lucky Igbinedion who, through plea bargain, was only fined.
Over 20 former governors are currently standing trial in various courts and at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). Some of the trials have lasted for more than 10 years. The accused governors include Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa), Ahmed Sani (Zamfara), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Rasheed Ladoja (Oyo), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Gabriel Suswan (Benue), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa). Others are Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), late Michael Botmang (Plateau), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) and Peter Odili (Rivers). Odili who is accused by EFCC of embezzling N100 billion, was granted a perpetual injunction against arrest by Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court.
Prolonged delays in the disposal of corruption cases are detrimental to the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. Relevant documents and information related to such cases risk partial or complete distortion when trial of cases overstay in courts. The re-posting of prosecutors or even their deaths is another setback usually suffered when cases are not promptly concluded.
Justice Banjoko has set the pace for other judges handling the trial of former governors to take their turn and conclude cases brought before them. Having secured Nyame’s conviction, we urge EFCC to take its investigation into corruption allegations against officials of the Taraba State Ministry of Finance further by ensuring that those culpable are also prosecuted.
