Jolly Nyame, former governor of Taraba State, who was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, has begged a High Court in FCT, Gudu Abuja, to be granted bail to have access to his herbal medicine.
Nyame, convicted for corruption charges in May, asked to be released pending the outcome of his appeal. He also told the court that he needs the traditional medicine to treat hypertension and diabetes which he suffers from.
His lawyer, Olalekan Ojo, while arguing the bail application before Justice Adebukola Banjoko, who handed down the judgment, said his client had been living with the health conditions for 10 years.
The convict was however absent in court.
Ojo referred to a June 19, 2018 medical report issued by a Jalingo, Taraba State hospital, suggesting that the convict could die if not released from prison.
He said his client had sought permission from the prison authorities in Kuje, Abuja, to be allowed to be given herbal medicine, but the request was rebuffed.
He said, “These exhibits are medical reports attached to the affidavit in support of the application and also the request, the letter, written to seek permission to be given traditional herbal preparation that can sustain him.”
But EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application.
He said Nyame, as a convict, had lost the right of medical facility of his choice but the one provided him by the prison.
He added, “The health ground will be an exceptional circumstance if the prison authorities say they are unable to provide the medical need of the convict.
“The second issue is that there must be a medical report by a medical practitioner who specialises in the area of medicine that concerns the ailment of the convict.”
Justice Banjoko has receded to her chambers to prepare her ruling, which she is to deliver later on Wednesday (today).
Justice Banjoko had also jailed a former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, for 14 years on corruption charges barely two weeks after handing down the guilty verdict to Nyame.
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