FG frees Dariye, Nyame, 159 others

Four months after being pardoned by the National Council of State (NCS), former governors of Plateau and Taraba states, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, were yesterday released from the Kuje Correctional Centre.

With the new development, there is no high-profile convict on corruption charges anymore.

The duo left the facility together with 159 others also pardoned by the NCS, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on April 14, 2022.

As at 11a.m. yesterday, they were being documented, preparatory to their release.

While Nyame was sentenced for 12 years for diverting N1.64 billion during his tenure as Taraba helmsman, Dariye was imprisoned 10 years for N1.126 billion fraud. The ex-governors were pardoned on health and age grounds.

The state pardon had drawn a lot of flakes from Nigerians, as they claimed that the Federal Government was encouraging corruption.

Confirming their release, Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Abubakar Umar, stated that their release was effected following a letter of clemency from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

The Public Relations Officer of NCoS Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Humphrey Chukwuedo, also confirmed their release, adding that they left the correctional centre after documentation.

A highly competent source close to the Dariye family said the former governor was released into the waiting arms of his relations. The source added that Nyame relatives were also on ground for the same purpose.