I forgot to list my salary in asset declaration - Nyame

Former Governor of Taraba state, Rev. Jolly Nyame yesterday told an FCT High Court in Gudu that he forgot to include his salary account and ‘inherited’ properties in the asset declaration forms he filled.

Under crossexamination by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Nyame, who is in the dock in a N1.64billion fraud trial, told the court he complied with the requirements of filling the forms at assumption and leaving office as governor.

He however confirmed that he wrote in the 29/05/2003 form that he had N5million cash at UT Bank (UTB) and Standard Trust Bank (STB) but forgot to list out his salary account with Zenith Bank and how much he had in the account.

“I was using Zenith Bank to receive my salary as governor that time but there is no Zenith Bank in my asset declaration form. My Lord, I am not an angel, I cannot remember everything. It is not impossible I forgot. I cannot remember if the two accounts with UTB and STB were active as at that time as I am only human,” he said.

Nyame, also confirmed to the court that in his 2003 form, he wrote that he acquired two farms in 1980 with total value of N1.5million but he had earlier written in his 1999 asset declaration form that he acquired only one land in 1980.

Asked which of the declarations he would want the court to believe, he said, “all I can say is that I have two farms.”

The ex-governor also told the court that he forgot to fill in the asset declaration forms that he has landed properties in Nigeria.

Upon the objection to the admissibility of Nyame’s statement of account with Zenith bank by his counsel, the trial judge, Justice Adebukola Banjoko adjourned the matter to October 11 for ruling and continuation of hearing.