Council Of State Okays Pardon For Dariye, Nyame, 157 Others

Former Governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, jailed for corruption, got a reprieve yesterday.

They will be released from prison with 157 others following the acceptance of government’s proposal for pardon by the Council of State.

The Council, which met for the fourth time under President Muhammadu Buhari, took the decision in exercise of its prerogative of mercy for convicts.

The recommendation was made by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The Council also approved the proposal to give national awards to 434 Nigerians, as presented by Minister for Special Duties Chief George AKume.

Another major decision at the meeting is the approval of a national census to hold next year April after the general election.

President Buhari will meet with Security chiefs on Tuesday on the spate of killings, kidnappings and violence in the North and Southeast, following recommendations from the Council, according to Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru.

Badaru was one of those who spoke with reporters at the State House after the meeting.

Although, Malami did not give the names of those pardoned, it was learnt Dariye and Nyame were on the list.

The attorney general said the Council of State approved 159 of 162 applications presented for consideration.

The Council, he said, rejected the proposal to pardon one of the prisoners sentenced to 120 years for stealing over N25 billion. The reason for seeking the pardon was because of life threatening illness.

Although the AGF didn’t mention the name of the convict, a source privy to the meeting, said former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Francis Atuche.

The second person was convicted for forgery and sentenced to 14 years. He has stayed in prison for a year and six months.

The third person obtained money by false pretence and was sentenced for seven years.

It was learnt that the two ex-governors were pardoned for health reasons.

Dariye, who has been in and out of hospital, also suffered emotional challenges after his father, Dariye Dafwan, was killed in June 2020 after payment of N10million ransom to kidnappers.

He was sentenced in June 2018 14 years by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.