The Center for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) has kicked against the Presidential pardoning of ex- Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye and a former Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame.
Dariye was convicted and sentenced to 10-year imprisonment by a Federal High Court in 2018 for the offences of Stealing, Looting Public Funds amounting to 2 Billion Naira, and Criminal Breach of Trust amongst others during his tenure as the Executive Governor of Plateau State between 1999 to 2007. The said conviction and Sentence of 10-year jail term was upheld by the Apex Court.
In the same vein, Nyame was also convicted and sentenced to serve a 12-year jail term by a Federal High Court as a result of Misappropriation and Looting of Public Funds amounting to close to 2 Billion Naira during his 8 years’ tenure as the Executive Governor of Taraba state, a sentence which was also upheld by the Supreme Court.
However, President Buhari, recently at the Council of State meeting which comprises the President, his vice, Ex-presidents, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, Senate President, Speaker, Governors and Attorney General of the Federation, granted a Presidential Pardoning to Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame respectively.
The Non-Governmental Organisation (CEFSAN) accused President Muhammadu Buhari of Sabotaging the fight against corruption after promising a corruption free governance.
According to the Executive Director of the group, Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, “CEFSAN will therefore conclude that unless the decision by the President is revisited, the claim of anti-corruption crusade by the APC led government is nothing but a hoax, sham and an exercise in futility despite the huge budgeting for the finance of anti-corruption institutions and agencies, whereas on the side of the judiciary such pardoning is a backlash.
“This act of Mr. President begs the question on how serious this administration is in curbing both economic and security challenges that ordinary Nigerians are subjected to on a daily basis”, Yankuzo lamented.
The group which has its headquarters located in Kano and has been providing free legal aid to indigent people in Nigeria who cannot afford the services of legal representation in Court, stressed the need for Mr President to make a revision to his decision of forgiving a known criminals.
The group added that “the offences which could have the effect of crippling the wellbeing of their respective subjects by plunging them into abject poverty and insecurity, the rigorous judicial exercises expanded, the time spent and money lost during their respective trials, and equally taking into cognizance the current state of affairs in Nigeria”.