The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an additional proof of evidence before an FCT High Court in Gudu against the former Taraba State governor Rev. Jolly Nyame who is standing trial over an alleged N5.5billion fraud.
Barr Rotimi Jacobs filed the additional affidavit on behalf of the anti-graft body. It is the second since the commencement of the trial in 2007 and has about 71 pages with voluntary testimonies from about ten witnesses.
The EFCC arraigned Nyame in July 2007 on a 41-count charge over the
alleged award of fictitious contracts to the tune of an initial sum of N1.6 billion during his tenure as Taraba State governor between 1999 and 2007.
The offences are punishable under sections 315 and 532 of the Penal Code.
But counsel to Nyame, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), countered the affidavit by filing a preliminary objection urging the court to dismiss the additional proof of evidence on the grounds that it was not obtained through leave of the court.
Fagbemi inquired whether the case is that of “prosecution or persecution,” adding that the prosecution has deliberately infringed on the accused person’s right to fair hearing by filing different proofs of evidence while matter is pending in court.
The case, presided over by Justice Adebukola I. Banjoko, will determine the preliminary objection today.
