Ex-Governor of Taraba State Rev. Jolly Nyame

In just few days at the Kuje Prison, Abuja, former Governor of Taraba State, Rev. Jolly Nyame, has said that he is willing to return all the ill-gotten wealth traced to him.

He is charged with a 41-count charge of stealing before an Abuja high court sitting in Gudu.

Nyame is among several Governors during Obasanjo’s reign as President who allegedly siphoned the state funds running into several Billions of Naira.

In a statement he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the former governor admitted approving payment of huge sums of money during his tenure to individuals and companies for supply of materials to the government without bothering to know whether such items were supplied or not.

He also explained why a total N2.5bn public fund meant for his people’s welfare were used to buy two aircraft, now grounded.

He also justified the purchase of the aircraft in the statement.

He said that another N225m meant to be invested in the same business was diverted.

He however said that he could not remember, how every single kobo of the diverted sum worth N225m was used.

He said “I have been shown a memo for bulk purchase of office equipment and stationeries by the Ministry of Finance to the tune of N250mi dated December 30, 2004 and I conceded approval.

“At the time of this report, I can’t remember details of award of contract or items purchased off-hand. I will bring the details later.

“On the issue of whether these items were purchased, I wouldn’t know. I did not in any way investigate because EFCC is investigating it.

“The issue of my share of N180m, I must confess, I must contact the government officials who allegedly gave me the money. Whatever is my share, I will refund.

“But I can remember Hon Commissioner Tutare told me all monies were refunded to EFCC,” he said.

Although the criminal information filed against him did not mention anything about a N2.5bn invested in the purchase of aircraft by Taraba state government through his approval, he however explained how the monies were invested.

He said contrary to the allegations that he purchased three aircraft for the state government, he said only two were purchased and that the money for the third was diverted.

He said “in the issue of the aircraft, the two aircraft were purchased through DANA. They were Dornier 328 and 228. The 328 was about N1.5bn and the 228 N1bn.

“The Dornier 328 is in Abuja Airport while the Dornier 228 is in Kaduna. The third was not purchased because it was said to be phased out but the money deposited was converted for the purchase of bullet proof G M vehicles. Details will be supplied later

“The two aircraft were grounded because of insurance. The 328 was run initially by EAS, based in Lagos. The EAS started well initially and cheques were paid to government through ministry of transportation. The 228 was initially run by DANA before it was grounded,” he said,

He added that the two aircraft had now been leased out to new managers.

Nyame was arraigned before the high court by EFCC for stealing N1.6bn public fund belonging to Taraba state between January 2005 and May 2007.

He is presently being detained in Kuje prisons pending determination of his bail application.