News

Dariye Gets 14 Years Imprisonment for Diverting N1.1b State Funds

Published

8 years ago

June 13, 2018

Eric

For the second time in less than two weeks, Justice Adebukola Banjoko of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Gudu has convicted another politician, Senator Joshua Dariye, a former Governor of Plateau State. He was found guilty of diversion of public funds to the tune of N1.126 billion.

The judge had in May 30 convicted former Taraba State governor, Jolly Nyame and sentenced him to 14 years in prison for diverting N1.64 billion in May 2007. Dariye, who also faces 14 years imprisonment, was governor of Plateau State from 1999 to 2007 and is currently the Senator representing Plateau Central. He was found guilty of criminally misappropriating the States N1.126 billion ecological funds, breach of public trust and his oath of office.

The tearful convict, who said he was a victim of circumstance, pleaded for leniency. But the court, in the judgment, which lasted over six hours, found him guilty on 15 counts out of 23. He was therefore, discharged on eight counts for lack of sufficient evidence.

Dariye told the court through his counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN) that his bank deceived him. Counsel to the prosecuting Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), urged the court to impose the maximum sanction, saying Dariye failed to show any remorse for the crime he committed.

“My lord should consider the conduct of the defendant who had stalled his trial since June 2007. Is he remorseful about what he has done? He is not! He has not shown any remorse. He still believes that he has not done anything wrong.

“The prisons are congested with the poor and those that cannot afford their daily meal, but the big men are not there,” he said. Jacob urged the court to give a sentence capable of serving as a deterrent to other public office holders.

Defense Counsel Erokoro, however, challenged the submission of Jacobs, accusing him of deliberately inciting the court to take severe decision against his client. But Justice Banjoko in her verdict held that she was not persuaded by Dariye’s claim of being a victim and therefore sentenced him to two years imprisonment on each of the counts.

He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment on crimes bordering on misappropriation and criminal breach of trust and the sentence would run concurrently.The judge also directed EFCC to return all the funds it recovered in the course of the investigation into the coffers of Taraba State government.

News

Two Rivers Lawmakers Step Down from Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Sue for Peace

Published

22 hours ago

January 12, 2026

Eric

Two members of the Rivers House of Assembly, who are loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike, have withdrawn from the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.

The Minority Leader of the assembly, Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, urged their colleagues to exercise restraint and allow for dialogue to maintain stability in the state

In a video widely circulated on Facebook and an excerpt published by Rivers State Television, the lawmakers urged their colleagues to prioritise the overall interest and stability of Rivers above partisan disagreements.

Call for ‘cooling-off period’

The legislators stressed that the prevailing political climate demands calm, dialogue and a “cooling-off period” within the assembly to allow, in their words, “wisdom and truth to prevail” in the legislative chambers.

Although they did not expressly mention the impeachment process during the briefing, their intervention is being interpreted by political observers as a withdrawal from the impeachment push against Mr Fubara, which has heightened tensions in the state.

Background to impeachment moves

The Rivers assembly parted ways with Mr Fubara because of the feud between the governor and Mr Wike, who is the FCT minister.

The current impeachment notice on Mr Fubara is the third attempt in less than three years to remove the governor. The previous efforts had split the legislature into two factions, causing President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspend the governor, the deputy governor, and the lawmakers.

The lawmakers accused the governor of constitutional breaches and administrative misconduct, allegations his supporters have dismissed as politically motivated.

Source: Premium Times

News

I Won’t Surrender Rivers N700bn IGR to Anyone, Fubara Vows

Published

5 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has resisted alleged pressure to hand over N700 billion, representing 35% of the State’s internally generated revenue (IGR), to anyone, sparking a heated power struggle with former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister.

The dispute has raised concerns about the welfare of Rivers State residents, with 4.4 million people living in multidimensional poverty.

The feud between Fubara and Wike, who unilaterally chose Fubara as his successor, has escalated into violent confrontations, defections, and legal battles.

Wike has threatened to make Rivers State “ungovernable” if Fubara fails comply, while his supporters have vowed to “deal with” Fubara.

In response, Fubara has warned that he cannot be intimidated, saying: “Rivers State is not a playground” and that he’s prepared to defend the state’s interest.

His supporters have also threatened to mobilise protests against Wike and his allies.

The crisis had paralysed governance, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month emergency rule in the State last year.

The situation remains tense, with both sides maintaining their respective stance.

The outcome will have significant implications for Rivers State and Nigerian politics.

The dispute highlights concerns about godfatherism in Nigerian politics and its impact on governance.

Wike has accused Fubara of ingratitude, while Fubara sees the former’s demands as an attempt to undermine his authority.

News

Rivers Assembly Begins Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara

Published

5 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The legislature kicked off the process at plenary on Thursday.

The lawmakers are accusing Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, is presiding over the session.

The day’s proceedings bear the imprimatur of renewed hostilities between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On December 5, 2025, a horde of the Rivers assembly lawmakers led by the speaker, announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Days later, Fubara formalised his own switch from the PDP to the APC.

However, the sabre-rattling and thinly veiled remarks between Wike and Fubara, which culminated in the declaration of emergency rule in the state in March 2025, have persisted.

Most of the Rivers lawmakers have stayed loyal to Wike.

TheCable