In Exhibit Z5, the Statement of Reverend Jolly T Nyame dated the 11th day of
July 2007, the Defendant, stated that the President visited the Mambila
Plateau in Taraba State, for the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Hydro
Electric Project of the Plateau. This Project was a Federal Government
Sponsored Project executed by a Chinese Contractor, and according to him,
the State Government had to show substantial interest by placating the
displaced Tribes involved. He stated that the amount expended by his State
was within the region of N100Million, which took care of Security, Logistics,
Feeding, Duty Tour Allowance, Publicity and Honorarium and Cash
Donations to Interest Groups.
According to him, the First Approval of Thirty-Two Million, Three Hundred
Thousand Naira (N32, 300, 000.00) was initially approved presuming the
visit was only taking place in Jalingo, but when they were told it would be on
Site at Mambila Plateau, they had to approve an Additional Forty-Two
Million Naira (N42, 000, 000.00) to cater for Security and Logistics.
Whilst on Site, it was then realized that there was the need to do more to get
the complete attention of the Indigenes and he had to request for an
Additional Sum of Twenty-Seven Million Naira (N27, 000, 000.00) to cater
for other Expenses.
During his Evidence in Chief, Reverend Jolly Nyame stated that he sat and
discussed with the Permanent Secretary Government House, Mr. Dennis Nev,
directing him to raise a Memo for the Visit and put together People that
would assist in Planning, however, he did not specify an amount. According
to him, there were Two Committees, namely the Security and Logistics
Committees and he identified the Memos in Exhibits O1-O3 as Memos
approved by him.
On the part of Mr. Dennis Nev the Permanent Secretary of the Government
House, Taraba State, it can be seen from his Further Written Statement to
the EFCC dated the 17th day of June 2007, which was admitted into Evidence
as Exhibit P2, that he was directed by the Defendant as Governor, to
prepare for the Visit of Mr. President to Taraba State and acknowledged
receiving all the stated Funds from Mr. Paul Yani, who brought them in Cash
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