Former Taraba Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame, on Thursday told an FCT High Court in Gudu that he was never involved in state transactions during his tenure as governor.
The former governor said this during cross examination by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN).
Nyame is facing trial for allegedly misappropriating Taraba State funds to the tune of N1.64 billion during his tenure as governor.
The ex-governor also denied ever taking state funds apart from his entitlements, which he listed as Duty Tour Allowances and sick bills, among others.
He denied every other involvement with Taraba State funds, including disbursement of cash.
He said as governor, his responsibilities stopped at approval of memos.
He added: “Funds were always requested through memos when there was need for them.
“I only get involved with public funds by approving the request made on the memo.”
Upon further questioning by the prosecution on what happen after approval, Name said: “mM role as a governor stops there.”
He also said he had no other transaction apart from approval of funds for disbursements.
The prosecution said Taraba State Commissioner for Finance, Abubakar Tutare, had testified against Nyame about N250 million stationery scam where the former governor got N165 million as his share.
Jacobs said the Permanent Secretary, Dennis Nev, had equally testified that Nyame asked him to send security votes to him in Abuja.
The prosecution produced a letter written and signed by the ex governor directing the state’s Commissioner for Finance to keep security vote.
However, the Counsel to the defendant, Olalekan Ojo, objected to the relevance of the letter to the charges.
But his objection was overruled and the letter was admitted in evidence.
Jacobs argued that security votes formed part of Taraba State funds and had to be accountable for.
Justice Adebukola adjourned hearing at the instance of prosecution until September 25.