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EFCC Denies Obtaining Ex-Taraba Governor Nyame's Statement Under Duress

November 12, 2015

The affirmation of the EFCC procedure was made by Ishaq Salihu, an operative of the commission, in the resumed hearing of the case at the Federal High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday asserted that the statement of former Taraba State governor Jolly Nyame concerning his alleged criminal misappropriation of state funds was voluntarily obtained.

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Mr. Nyame is being prosecuted for stealing up to N1.64bn during his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007.

The affirmation of the EFCC procedure was made by Ishaq Salihu, an operative of the commission, in the resumed hearing of the case at the Federal High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja.  

He was being led in evidence before Justice Adebukola Banjoko by the prosecuting counsel, Adebisi Adeniyiof the chambers of Rotimi Jacobs.  Salihu was one of the investigators who took the statement of the accused sometime in July 2007.

Cross-examined by Sikiru Adewoye on behalf of Lateef Fagbemi, Mr. Salihu told the court that Mr. Nyame’s statement was voluntarily rendered and obtained in a professional manner.

According to him, the EFCC, as a law enforcement agency, greatly respects professionalism and would not do anything to either undermine people’s rights, or the rule of law.  

Salihu's testimony brought to a close the prosecution's case in respect of the trial-within-trial, setting the stage for the defense to present its witnesses.

Justice Banjoko adjourned the case to next Wednesday, November 18.  The judge further ruled that the defense should to be prepared to conclude its defense on that date.