Appeal court reduces Dariye’s sentence by four years

A court of appeal sitting in Abuja has reduced the jail sentence of Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau state, by four years.

In June, a federal capital territory (FCT) high court sentenced Dariye to 14 years imprisonment.

The serving senator was found guilty of corruption.

He was accused of diverting N1.126bn from Plateau government’s ecological funds. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged him to court in 2007.

The senator was convicted on 15 out the 23 counts preferred against him.

After he was sentenced to prison, the lawmaker appealed the judgement of the trial court.

At the appeal court on Friday, a three-man panel led by Stephen Ada noted that the senator is first-time offender.

The panel held that Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) does allow maximum punishment for first-time offenders and that the lower court was wrong not to have considered that.

Dariye reportedly purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to seek reelection as a senator.

But the senator who currently represents Plateau central in the upper legislative chamber was disqualifiedby the party.