A former Taraba State Governor, Rev Jolly Nyame has reportedly received a presidential pardon from the National Council of State.
Naija News reports that Nyame, who governed the state from 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to a 12-year jail term at the Kuje prison for misappropriation of funds while he was in office.
In February 2020, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction and 12-year jail term given to Nyame for misappropriation of funds during his time in power.
It was learned that the Council of State approved the release of the former governor during its meeting which was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to SaharaReporters, President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly lobbied other members of the council of State to secure Nyame’s release.
It said the council has written to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to order the release of the former governor from prison.
“The Council of State today agreed to grant him pardon. They will now write to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who will now ratify it and write to the prison to release him.
“It is a political move. It is a plot for the ruling party, All Progressives Congress, to win Taraba State in the next elections. Buhari lobbied other members of the Council of State to secure Nyame’s release,” a top source told SaharaReporters.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News