Court Decides Ex-Plateau State Governor, Dariye’s Fate Today

The Law

The case of the former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye has started at the High Court of the FCT sitting in Gudu, Abuja, and judgment is expected to be given today.

Justice Adebukola Banjoko is currently delivering judgment in the over 10-year case of the former governor.

Mr. Dariye is standing trial on a 23 count charge for money laundering allegedly diverting the State’s 1.126 billion Naira ecological funds.

Mr. Dariye was arraigned by the EFCC on July 13, 2007, bordering on money laundering and other corruption charges alleged to have belonged to the Plateau State Government.

According to the EFCC, the former governor diverted the funds into the account of Ebenezer Ratnen Venture, which is alleged to be one of the companies through which he allegedly siphoned the public funds. Mr. Dariye served the state from 1999- 2007.

After calling a total of 16 witnesses, his counsel, Mr. Kanu Agabi (SAN), told the court that they have closed their case and applied for a written address.

“My Lord, I am pleased to inform your Lordship we are closing the case for the defence and we will like to address you,’’ Agabi said.