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Former Plateau Governor, Senator Joshua Dariye and his Taraba counterpart, Jolly Nyame, on Monday were released from Kuje correctional facility in Abuja. A video making the rounds online shows Nigerians rejoicing after the politicians regained freedom and arrived at their homes. Dariye and Nyame were serving jail terms of 14 year and 12 years respectively after being convicted for corruption
It may be recalled that the National Council of State, led by the President Muhammadu Buhari had on April 14 approved the pardon of the convicts alongside 159 others, a decision which generated outcries.
Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal High Court, covicted the former governors in 2018. Dariye was accused of stealing N1.16 billion while serving as Plateau governor from 1999 to 2007 and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. His term was eventually reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Nyame, who served as governor of Taraba state from 1999 to 2007, was convicted of stealing N1.6 billion from the state’s treasury and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
The PUNCH reports that the FCT Spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Chukwuedo Humphrey confirmed their release. Humphrey said; “The release is sequel to the receipt of the letter of clemency from the presidential prerogative of mercy committee by the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa.”
In a video which showed the former governors alighting from cars that conveyed them from the prison, people could be seen breaking down in tears and giving them a rousing welcome.
Click Here To Watch Video
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