Court adjourns Nyame’s trial by EFCC

Lanre Adewole, Abuja - 18.01.2008

An Abuja High Court on Thursday indefinitely adjourned the trial of the immediate past governor of Taraba State, Reverend Jolly Nyame, over allegation of corrupt practices.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has accused Nyame of stealing about N1.6 billion belonging to Taraba State.

Nyame had challenged the jurisdiction of the court to try him over the alleged offences, claiming that the money he allegedly stole belonged to Taraba State and not the Federal Government.

He insisted that the proper place to conduct the trial was Taraba and not the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The trial judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko, overruled his objection, assumed jurisdiction in the matter and set the case down for hearing, but Nyame headed for the Court of Appeal.

Nyame is asking the appellate court to overrule the lower court for wrongly assuming jurisdiction on the case.