The trial of a former
Taraba governor, Jolly Nyame who is being prosecuted by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for allegedly stealing state funds to the
tune of N1.64bn during his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007 continued on
Thursday, November 12, 2015 before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of an FCT High
Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, with the agency stating that, the statement of
the accused was voluntarily obtained.
Ishaq Salihu, an operative
of EFCC, stated this today while being led in evidence by the prosecuting
counsel, Adebisi Adeniyi, from the chambers of Rotimi Jacobs, SAN.
Salihu was one of the
investigators that took the statement of the accused sometime in July, 2007.
Answering questions during
cross-examination by the defence, Sikiru Adewoye representing Lateef Fagbemi,
SAN, Salihu told the court that, the accused statement was voluntarily rendered
and obtained in a professional manner.
According to him, EFCC, as
a law enforcement agency, has great respect for professionalism and would not
do anything to either undermine people’s right or the rule of law.
Salihu's testimony brings to a close the
prosecution's case in respect of the trial-within-trial, setting the stage for
the defence to present their witnesses.
Justice Banjoko adjourned
the case to November 18, 2015 for the Nyame's counsel to present their
witnesses.
The judge further ruled
that, the defence should to be prepared to conclude their defence on the said adjourned
date.
Nyame is facing a 41-count
charge bordering on criminal misappropriation of state funds.
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