The Nigerian Council of State led by President, Muhammadu Buhari has granted pardons to 159 convicts including former Governors of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye, Rev. Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, who were both imprisoned for stealing 1.16 billion naira and 1.6 billion naira respectively.
Dariye and Nyame were convicted by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in 2018. Dariye, who was governor from 1999 to 2007, was jailed for laundering public funds to the tune of 1.16 billion naira and was sentenced to 14 years in prison by Justice Banjoko who has since been elevated to the Court of Appeal.
Dariye’s prison term was later reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal in Abuja while his conviction was affirmed by the Supreme Court.
Rev Nyame on the other hand who was governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing 1.6 billion naira from the state’s treasury, a judgment which was also upheld by the Supreme Court.
Addressing newsmen after the Council of State meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said the council approved 159 out of 162 applications presented for consideration for the prerogative of mercy for convicts and inmates in correctional facilities nationwide.
According to Malami, the council rejected a proposal to grant pardon to one of the prisoners sentenced to 120 years for theft of over 25 billion naira on health ground, however, the identity of the prisoner was not disclosed.
The Council of State is an organ of the Federal Government responsible for advising the Executive on policy matters. Members include the President, past Presidents and the Vice-President as well as the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and both serving and past Chief Justices of Nigeria.
Others include the Attorney-General of the Federation, all governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
In attendance were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and National Security Adviser, retired Major-General Babagana Monguno as well as Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and governors.
Former heads of state in attendance were retired Generals Yakubu Gowon, Abdusalami Abubakar and Dr Goodluck Jonathan.
(PUNCH)
