Updated: Why we released Dariye, Nyame from Kuje Custodial centre

Two former Governors, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, have been released from Kuje Custodial centre, following a presidential pardon.

In a statement by the Abuja Command of the Correctional Service, their release is sequel to the receipt of the letter of clemency from the presidential prerogative of mercy committee by the Controller General of Corrections Haliru Nababa.

The controller of Corrections FCT Command Ahmed Musa Ahmed also released three other inmates who were granted pardon from the Suleja custodial centre.

ALSO READ: Dariye, Nyame released from Kuje prison

Both former governors were serving jail term for corruption allegations until they were granted pardon by President Buhari, a development that received a lot of negative reactions.

Recall that the Council of State led by President Muhammadu Buhari, had in April approved the pardon of 159 convicts.

They both served as governors Plateau and Taraba states respectively.

Dariye and Nyame were both jailed for stealing N1.16bn and N1.6bn, respectively.

The two former governors, who are members of the All Progressives Congress, were convicted by Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Abuja High Court in 2018.

Dariye, who was Plateau Governor from 1999 to 2007, was sentenced to 14 years in prison. But his term was eventually reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, while his conviction was affirmed by the Supreme Court.

For Rev Nyame, who was Taraba Governor from 1999 to 2007, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for stealing N1.6bn from the state’s treasury. The judgment was also upheld by the Supreme Court.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who addressed journalists after the Council of State meeting, noted that the council approved 159 out of 162 applications presented for consideration for the prerogative of mercy for convicts and inmates in correctional facilities nationwide.