The Federal High Court in Jalingo, the Taraba state capital, has ruled that the former governor of the state, Rev. Jolly Nyame, did not have the constitutional eligibility to contest for any position in the 2027 general elections.
The Incorporated Trustees of the Taraba Progress Front had challenged the constitutional eligibility of the former governor in the suit number FHC/JAL/CS/6/2026, and another defendant before the trial court. Justice Mashkur Salisu ruled that Nyame was not granted a full presidential pardon, but a clemency, which was granted to him on health grounds in 2022.
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According to the court, the clemency granted to the former governor did not automatically restore his rights to take part in the election till when the period stipulated by the constitution elapsed.
The judge delivered the ruling during the determination of the motion for interpretation filed by Barrister Badmus, an Abuja-based lawyer, who had sought clarification on the legal implications of the conviction of the former governor and the effect of the clemency granted to him by the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Justice Salisu cited Section 182(1)(e) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 85 of the Electoral Act 2022, in his judgment. He explained that any person convicted for an offence that involved fraud or dishonesty would remain disqualified from taking part in an election within a period stipulated under the law.
Source: Legit.ng