Nyame denies giving verbal approvals

From MAGAJI HUNKUYI
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Jalingo The former governor of Taraba state Rev. Jolly Nyame has denied giving verbal approvals for the withdrawal of billions of naira between 29 may 2005 and 29 may 2007 from the local government joint account.
The former governor made the denial when he appeared in person before Justice Philibus Andetur commision of inquiry into the activities of the state ministry of local government and chieftency affairs between 29 may 2005 and 29 may 2007.
He said,  he never gave any oral approval for the withdrawal of money from the joint account as claimed by a former commisioner  in the Ministry who claimed that approvals were given by the governor in which he withdraw over 500 million Naira during the period under review.
The former governor who explained further that government transactions are done in writing and not verbaly, pointed out that if there are approvals given by him such approvals should be shown to him.
He told the commision that if such approvals are shown to him he will admit such claims. according to him any payment made during his tenure as Governor was based on approvals and memos brought to his office.
On wheather he was aware of the existence of the Joint Account Commitee (JAC) law, he said he did not know wheather the JAC  law allows him to approve any money out of the JAC account or not but he gave approvals only when such requests were brought to him by the officers concerned.
In their seperate testimonies two former permanent secretaries who served at the ministry during the period under review, Mr. Samuel Madaki and Hajiya Aishatu Muhammed also claimed that the iilegal deductions and mismanagment of billions of naira during their tenure at the ministry was as a result of obeying directives from the former Governor.
Also during the procedings counsel to former Governor Nyame Barr. Kamal Fagbemi filed an oral application requesting the commision to re-invite the witnesess who alleged they recieved oral directives from his client for cross examination.
The objection  raised by Barr. Ibrahim Effiong, counsel to one of the former commisioners was over ruled by the chairman of the commision, Justice Andetur who fixed Tuesday 3rd of August 2010 for their re-appearance for cross examination by Nyame’s solicitors.