Buhari Pardons Former Governor’s Dariye, Nyame Jailed For Corruption

From Ogundele Olanrewaju

The Council of State led by President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the pardon of 159 convicts.

These include former Plateau state governor, Joshua Dariye and ex-Governor of Taraba Jolly Nyame.

Dariye and Nyame were both jailed for stealing N1.16bn and N1.6bn, respectively.

The two former governors, who are members of the All Progressives Congress, were convicted by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Abuja High Court in 2018.

Dariye, who was Plateau Governor from 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to 14 years in prison. But his term was eventually reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, while his conviction was affirmed by the Supreme Court.

For Rev Nyame, who was Taraba Governor from 1999 to 2007, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing N1.6bn from the state’s treasury. The judgment was also upheld by the Supreme Court.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, addressing journalists after the Council of State meeting on Thursday, noted that the council approved 159 out of 162 applications presented for consideration for the prerogative of mercy for convicts and inmates in correctional facilities nationwide.