Presidential Pardon: Ortom Reacts to Buhari's Action Over Dariye, Nyame's Jail Term
- President Muhammadu Buhari has been commended for the presidential pardon handed to two former governors of Plateau and Taraba state
- The commendation was given to the president by the governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, on Friday, April 15
- According to Ortom, former governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame would be able to reunite with their families and live a happy life once again
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The governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom of Benue State has expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Council of States for granting state pardons to former governors of Plateau and Taraba states, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame.
Dariye and Nyame were serving jail terms in Kuje Correctional Centre near Abuja following their convictions by the courts over financial malfeasance while serving as governors in their states between 1999 and 2007.
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Ortom had while appearing on an Arise Television interview a fortnight ago appealed to the federal government to review the cases of Dariye and Nyame with a view to granting them a state pardon.
However, on Thursday, April 14, the National Council of States under the chairmanship of President Buhari met in Abuja to consider and approve the state pardon for both former governor and others whose identities are yet to be revealed.
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A statement sent to Legit.ng by the chief press secretary to the governor, Nathaniel Ikyur said that an excited about the action taken by the president and the council, Ortom admitted that some useful lessons must have been learnt from the incident.
The governor also thanked friends, families and political associates of the two leaders who stood by them during the period of their incarceration.
He said Dariye and Nyame will now reunite with their families and live a happy life once again.
Buhari pardons former Governors Dariye, Nyame convicted for stealing billions
Former Governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, who are serving jail terms for corruption, are set to leave prison soon.
This is coming after the duo and 157 others were pardoned by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday, April 14.
The pardon of the former governors was ratified at the Council of State meeting presided over by the president.
The former governor of Plateau and Taraba states were both imprisoned for stealing N1.16bn and N1.6bn respectively.
Explainer: Does Buhari have the power to pardon former Plateau governor Joshua Dariye?
In a previous report by Legit.ng, a northern group identified as The Movement For A New Arewa urged Buhari to extend a presidential pardon to the former Plateau state governor.
The group said that if the north was to return to its past glory, the likes of Dariye must be released from prison to join in the peacebuilding process.
Section 175 of the Nigerian Constitution (1999) empowers the president to pardon convicts.
Source: Legit.ng
