Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Army Buries 17 Personnel Killed in Okuama Community

Published

on

By

The 17 military personnel killed in Okuama community in Delta on March 14 have been laid to rest.

The corpses of the soldiers, which arrived at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja at about 2:26 pm on Wednesday, were committed to mother death after burial rites were observed.

President Bola Tinubu, Service Chiefs and other dignitaries were in attendance at the burial ceremony.

DAILY POST recalls that the troops of 181 Amphibious Batallion, Bomadi Local Government Area of Delta State, while on a peace mission to Okuoma Community were ambushed and killed by some irate youths.

The incident occurred when the troops responded to a distress call following a communal crisis between Okuoma and Okoloba communities in Delta State.

The personnel comprised one Lieutenant Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 soldiers.

The officers are Commanding Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348).

The soldiers are SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); and LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290).

They also include LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079) and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).

DailyPost

Continue Reading

News

Thomas Yormah Emerges As New WAEC Chairman

Published

on

By

By Eric Elezuo

The West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) has a new Chairman, he is Prof. Thomas Brima Rick Yormah, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Fourah Bay College and former Pro ViceChancellor, University of Sierra Leone as the 21st Chairman of Council.

According to a statement signed by Demianus G. Ojijeogu, the Head, Public Affairs, WAEC Headquarters, Accra, Ghana, Yormah was elected during the just concluded 72nd Annual Council Meeting of the body, held in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He succeeds Prof. Ato Essuman from the Republic of Ghana.

The highpoint of the week-long Council meeting was the recognition and honoring of three Ghanaian candidates with the WAEC International Excellence Award for their outstanding performance in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2023. They were Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi, (1st Prize), Master Dzandu Selorm, (2nd Prize), and Master Asenso-Gyambibi Daniel (3rd Prize). The three candidates were selected from 2,327,342 who sat the examination in The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

In the same vein, the Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for the Best Candidate in West Africa, 2023 also went to Master Amo-Kodieh Leonard Kofi. In addition, two candidates from the Republic of Sierra Leone were honoured with the National Distinction, while one candidate received the National Merit Award. They were Miss. Mammah E. A. Raymonda, (1st Prize), Master Bangura Joshua, (2nd Prize), and Master Fillie Sahr Edward (Merit Award).

While the 71st edition of the Council meeting was hosted by Gambia, the next edition, which will be the 73rd in the series, will be hosted by Liberia.

Continue Reading

News

Kidnapped Edo PDP Chairman Regains Freedom

Published

on

By

The kidnapped chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, has been released.

Dr. Aziegbemi, who was set free by his abductors in the early hours of Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Report has it that he got to his Benin City residence at about 3am to the waiting arms of family and close friends.

“I am back home with my family. I am fine. I am just trying to rest and will talk to you later,” he was quoted as saying.

Dr. Aziegbemi, a former member of the House of Representatives, who represented Esan North-East/Esan South-East federal constituency of Edo State, was kidnapped on Friday, March 15, 2024 when his abductors who rode in two Toyota Corolla cars, trailed him after he left a meeting.

The gunmen overtook Aziegbemi’s sports utility vehicle (SUV) at a speed break as it slowed down along Osaro Street, off Country Home Road, close to his house at about 11pm on Friday night before seizing him.

It is not clear yet if a ransom was paid for his release as the abductors had reportedly demanded a sum of N50 million before setting him free.

Continue Reading

Trending