The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the conviction and 12-year prison sentence handed to former Taraba state governor, Rev. Jolly Nyame, by an Abuja High Court.
Recall that Justice Adebukola Banjoko had in May 2018 sentenced Nyame to 14 years for criminal breach of trust, 2 years for misappropriation, 7 years for gratification and 5 years for stealing from the state while he was governor from May 1999 to May 2007.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had preferred a 41-count money laundering charge to the tune of N1.6 billion against the former governor.
Nyame, however approached the Court of Appeal for the reversal of the judgment.
In its judgment on November 16, 2018 the, appellate Court upheld his conviction, but reduced the sentence which is running concurrently, to 12 years, 5 years, 4 years and one-year and nine months, respectively, with fines ranging from N100m to N5m.
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Nyame then headed to the Supreme Court still seeking the reversal of the judgment.
In a unanimous judgement delivered by a five-man panel of Justices led by Justice May Odili, the apex court said the appeal filed by Nyame against his conviction and sentencing lacked merit.
It also nullified the option of fine given to the former governor by the Court of Appeal.
It subsequently affirmed Nyame’s conviction and 12-years prison sentence.
