The supreme court has affirmed the 12- year jail sentence to Jolly Nyame, a former governor of Taraba state.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Nyame with abuse of office diverting N1.64 billion during his tenure as governor between 1999 and 2007.
Adebukola Banjoko, judge of a federal capital territory high court in Gudu, convicted Nyame on May 30, 2018, and sentenced him to 14 years in prison after a trial that lasted 11 years.
Nyame appealed the judgment and the jail term was reduced to 12 years but not satisfied, he approached the Supreme Court.
The former governor had contended that the trial court did not have the jurisdiction to hear his case. He also asked the apex court to further reduce the sentence from 12 years. He also challenged the N100 million fine which was imposed on him.
But on Friday, the apex court disagreed, saying that the trial court had the competence to hear the matter.
However, it held that the court of appeal ought not to have imposed a fine on Nyame because the issue of fine was never raised by the prosecution or defendant for determination.
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