Former Governors of Plateau and Taraba states, Joshua Dariye and Joly Nyame have been set free from the kuje correctional facility, Abuja. Recall the duo was granted a presidential pardon three months ago by the council of state chaired by President Buhari, on April 14th, 2022. It was learned that the two former governors were let go at about 2:15 pm today at the kuje prison after completing all processes for their release.
Accordingly, three other inmates were also released from Suleja, Niger state Prison in a similar circumstance after being granted a pardon by the council of the state.
Source in the Kuje prison disclosed that the former Governors were released based on health and age grounds, and they have also demonstrated good conduct while serving the jail term.
Nyame was sentenced to serve a 12-year jail term for diverting N1.64 billion during his tenure as governor of Taraba state, while Dariye was sentenced to serve ten (10) years imprisonment for N1.126 billion frauds.
The council’s decision to release the former Governors was greeted with much controversy during its pronouncement.
Some public analysts opined that the two were released based on their political value as the ruling party is desperate to return to power come 2023, saying by releasing these convicts, they will be mobilizing votes for the ruling APC.