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A witness in the trial of the former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, has told a high court of the Federal Capital Territory, Gudu District, that Dariye used part of the alleged misappropriated N1.16billion ecological funds of Plateau State to purchase equipment for the state’s Abuja Liaison Office.
The 10th defence witness, Gideon Mitu, a Permanent Secretary at the Plateau State’s Abuja Liaison Office, disclosed this while being led in evidence by Dariye’s counsel, Garba Pwul (SAN).
The witness, however, told the court that he did not know how much was paid because he was not part of the team that negotiated for the equipment.
He stated that he knew as a matter of fact that the equipment was purchased and delivered to the Plateau State Liaison Office.
Dariye, who was elected senator representing Plateau Central in 2011, is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Adebukola Banjoko for allegedly siphoning about N1.16billion ecological funds meant for the state and diverting about N204 million meant for the state treasury to Ebenezer Retinun Ventures, a company linked to him.
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