The Supreme Court of Nigeria has just affirmed the judgement of the Court of appeal that sentenced the former governor of Taraba State, Rev Jolly Nyame to 12 years imprisonment.
In the unanimous judgement read by Justice Amina Augie, the apex court however set aside the fine of about N500 million imposed upon Nyame by the lower courts.
The court held that the lower courts have no right to impose the fines on the appellant.
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“In the overall analysis, the judgment of the lower court is hereby affirmed but the fine imposed on the appellant is set aside”, Justice Augie held.
Nyame was found guilty by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Abuja High Court for the theft of $1.6 billion belonging to the government of Taraba State and sentenced him to 14 years imprisonment.
The appellate court, while agreeing with the judgement of the trial court, increased the fines on the appellant and reduced the jail term to 12 years.
Details soon…
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