Former Governor of Plateau state, Joshua Dariye has begged the Supreme court to reduce his 10-year jail sentence.
Dariye who was formerly handed a 14-year jail sentence by a federal high court in 2018 after being found guilty of diverting N1.126 billion from Plateau government’s ecological fund, had his prison sentence reduced to 10 years after he appealed his conviction.
The former Governor has now approached the Supreme Court to void his conviction. Kanu Agabi, Dariye’s counsel who spoke on his behalf in court stated that his conviction was speculative.
Agabi urged the court to show mercy as 10 years is more than a lifetime for some people.
He said;
“Allow this appeal and set aside the conviction of the appellant.
“Here is a man sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. 10 years is more than a lifetime for some people. You should show mercy.
“Reduce the sentence substantially, I beg you.”
EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Jacobs however kicked against the appeal. He said;
“We urge your lordships to dismiss this appeal and uphold the concurrent findings of the two lower courts.
“As for the sentence passed, it has been reduced to 10 years. That he is a public servant does not mean he should go free.”
The five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Mary Odili, fixed March 21, 2021 to give its ruling on the case.