Metro
EFCC reveals how widow exposed former Taraba Governor, Jolly Nyame
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed how a widow allowed the agency discover the misappropriation of state funds by former Governor of Taraba, Jolly Nyame.
The commission, in its monthly publication, EFCC Alert, explained that things turned sour for Nyame, when one Hauwa Usman petitioned the EFCC over the “squandering” of company money by Suleiman, younger brother of Usman Abubakar, her late husband.
Suleiman took over the company from Usman, who was managing director of Alusab until his demise.
The EFCC said it was during the course of interrogating Suleiman, that it discovered a N100million surplus paid by the state government to Alusab for the water project.
“Nyame was in fact, never in the purview of the EFCC, and no one at any time wrote a petition against him.
“The Taraba State government had issued a cheque of N135,794,607 in favour of the company, as contract payment for rehabilitation of the Ibi Wukari Water Project. But Suleiman collected the cheque and lodged it in a different account domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc, in Jalingo.
“Hauwa sought the help of the EFCC to recover the money, accusing Suleiman who took over the company of squandering it. He was subsequently invited by the EFCC for questioning; then and there, the bubble burst.
“During interrogation, Suleiman admitted collecting the cheque, and though argued that he did not squander the money as alleged in the petition, confirmed that it was for the said project, which was ongoing before the death his brother.
“He revealed that through Abubakar Tutare, then Commissioner of Finance in the state, the company applied for additional works, which was granted by the state government. According to him, the estimation for the additional works was N35 million, but Tutare instructed him to add N100 million to the estimation. Subsequently, a cheque of N135 million was issued to Suleiman, but along with it, was a complimentary card, with an account number written at the back. Tutare instructed him to pay the N100 million into the account.
“Suleiman had asked Tutare about VAT payment, to which Tutare told him to deduct 10 per cent as tax and to credit the account at the back of the card belonging to Nyame with N80 million, and bring N10 million to him. Suleiman duly paid the cheque into Alusab’s account and acted on the N80 million as instructed, as per the complimentary card. He also gave N10 million to Tutare at his residence through his house aide, Husseini Ali.
“Tutare, himself was invited for questioning and he confirmed the testimony of Suleiman, but stressed that he acted on the instruction of Nyame, and that the N80 million was paid into the account of Salmon Global Ventures Nigeria Ltd,” the report read.
Nyame was on May 30, handed a 14-year jail sentence .
The anti-graft agency had charged Nyame to court for allegedly diverting N1.64 billion when he served as governor between 1999 and 2007.
The former Governor was charged on 41 counts of fraud but was found guilty on 27 counts.
A police inspector, Effiong Bassey, has shot three people in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, leaving one dead and two others injured.
The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, describing it as tragic.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, Ugbo Irene, the shooting occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar.
She explained that Inspector Bassey had returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank when he began exhibiting abnormal behaviour.
“Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises. Despite attempts at peaceful dialogue to resolve the situation, the officer’s actions escalated,” the statement read.
Tactical Units and patrol teams were then deployed to the scene. However, Bassey, suspected to be mentally unstable, opened fire on bystanders who had been instructed to leave the area.
“Tragically, three individuals were struck by the officer’s stray bullets, including Ijeoma Wilson Obot, a 41-year-old female, who later succumbed to her injuries. The other two victims, Charles Mkpang and another individual, are currently receiving medical treatment and are in stable condition,” the police said.
The officer was eventually subdued, disarmed, and taken into custody. He is now undergoing further investigation.
Concerned by the incident, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 6 Headquarters, Calabar, along with the Cross River State Command Management Team, visited the hospital where the victims were receiving treatment. The AIG also made a donation to support their immediate care.
The Command assured residents that it was working with key stakeholders to prevent any escalation of tension in the community.
It further urged the victims’ families and the public to remain calm, pledging a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The Cross River State Police Command is committed to ensuring that justice, fairness, and equity prevail, and the outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the statement added.
The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of a police inspector, Ajele Oloyede, who passed away while on special duty at Goodwill Ceramic Company in Igbesa, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Omolola Odutola, made this known in a statement, revealing that an investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Oloyede was attached to the 78 PMF in Zamfara State.
According to the preliminary report, the incident occurred on 14 March 2025 at approximately 13:20 hours. Tolorunloju Stephen, an officer attached to the Force Headquarters Annex in Lagos, who was also on special duty at the company, recounted that he had just returned from Ikeja when he entered the security office and found Inspector Oloyede resting his head on a table.
“After exchanging pleasantries and briefly inquiring about his well-being, Oloyede responded positively,” Odutola stated.
However, moments later, as Stephen proceeded to the restroom, he heard a gunshot. Rushing back, he found Inspector Oloyede lying in a pool of blood.
“With the assistance of a private security personnel, the injured officer was immediately rushed to Ota General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by the attending doctor,” Odutola added.
She further disclosed that the firearm used in the incident has been recovered, and the deceased officer’s body has been deposited at the hospital for an autopsy.
Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo, described the news as shocking and has ordered a full-scale investigation into the incident to determine the circumstances surrounding it, including the possibility of foul play or mental health factors.
“The police were swift in contacting the deceased officer’s family, and the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, for discreet investigation,” the statement read.
The Ogun State Police Command expressed its deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Inspector Oloyede, assuring that all necessary support will be provided during this difficult time.
A 25-year-old man, Toye Dominic, has been found dead, hanging from a tree in a forest near Alagbadagbo village, Ijebu Igbo Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The discovery was made on Thursday by a local hunter, Kareem Oluwalose, who was on a hunting expedition in the area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, stated that the hunter immediately reported his finding to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Headquarters.
“After making the discovery, he sought help from a nearby village, where he met Joseph Dominic, the elder brother of the deceased. Joseph revealed that Toye had left for the farm earlier that morning but had not returned, prompting a search, which was fruitless by family members,” the statement read.
Upon arrival at the scene, police operatives and villagers observed that the deceased had set aside his farm tools before proceeding further into the forest, where he was eventually found hanging from a tree.
No suicide note was recovered at the scene, and the deceased’s family expressed shock over the incident, insisting they had no prior indication of distress from him.
“The police have documented the scene with photographic evidence, and the body has been transferred to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for further examination,” Odutola added.
While the police have yet to confirm whether the incident was a suicide, the Command urged the public to remain vigilant and support individuals experiencing emotional struggles.
“We urge the public to remain vigilant and seek support for individuals experiencing distress or emotional struggles. Mental health awareness and timely intervention remain crucial in preventing such unfortunate incidents,” Odutola said, extending the police’s condolences to the bereaved family.
She also assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Dominic’s tragic death.
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