Plateau stakeholders decry Sen Dariye’s jail sentence

By Golok Nanmwa ,Jos

Some stakeholders in Plateau on Wednesday decried the sentencing of Senator Joshua Dariye to 14 years imprisonment for fraud and  mismanagement of funds while in office as governor of plateau state between 1999 and 2007.

A Gudu Federal High Court in  Abuja on Tuesday evening sentenced Dariye to 14 years imprisonment over corruption charges labeled against him by the EFCC.

Reacting to the sentence, Mr Garba Pwul (SAN), a Jos based legal practitioner, described the sentence as “great lost’’ to the people of Plateau Central senatorial district and the entire plateau state.

“Jailing of Dariye mean means Plateau central has lost its seat and the entire state being incarcerated and cut from federal and political representation at the national assembly.

“it’s a minus to us here on the plateau especially at this crucial period that the country would soon go to the polls to elect its leaders at all levels, ’’ Pwul lamented.

Chief John Mankilik, Chairman , described the sentence of Dariye as “very unfortunate and sad.’’

Mankilik appealed to the federal govern to temper justice with mercy even though the judgement has been passed already looking at the contributions the former governor had made politically in the country.

“I feel sad about the judgment but be that as it may, the government should pursue its corruption fight with fairness.

“We don’t want a situation whereby the corruption fight is vigorously being targeted at a particular region but there must be fairness in all ramification, ’’ Mankilik said.

Also speaking, Mr Caleb Mutfwang, former Local Government chairman of Mangu Local Government, said. “I feel so sad when I got the news of Dariyes sentence.’’

“It’s a sad thing for Plateau. It’s ending so badly for a man of great promise.

“Looking at how Rev Jolly Nyame was incarcerated recently, we hope that our leaders in the middle belt are not being targeted for elimination form the political space. ’’ Mutfwang queried.

To Chief Alexander Mwolwus, Dariye’s former Chief of Staff and PDP stalwart in Plateau, the jailing of Dariye was a “big minus ‘’ and “sadden one’’ to the entire people of Plateau.

Mwolwus said that for the fact that he was not supporting corruption, the 14 years jail term is a “very hard one’’ for a man of his caliber giv ing his contribution to the polity of Nigeria

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Plateau stakeholders decry Sen Dariye’s jail sentence