Plateau Grieves over Dariye, as More Reactions Trail His Sentence

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

More reactions have continued to pour in from the people of Plateau State who are grief-stricken over last Tuesday’s judgment of a Federal High Court, Abuja that sentenced their son, Senator Joshua Dariye, to 14 years imprisonment, describing the decision of the court as too fierce.

Reacting to the sentence, a Jos-based legal practitioner, Mr. Garba Pwul (SAN), described the sentence as a great loss to the people of Plateau Central senatorial district and the entire state.

Jailing Dariye, according to Pwul, means Plateau central has lost its seat in the National Assembly, and the entire state being incarcerated and cut off from the federal and political representation at the National Assembly.

He said: “It’s a minus to us here on the Plateau, especially at this crucial period that the country would soon go to the polls to elect its leaders at all levels.”

Also speaking, an elder statesman and politician in the state, Chief John Mankilik, described the sentence of Dariye as “very unfortunate and sad.”

Mankilik appealed to the federal government to temper justice with mercy even though the judgment has been passed already, considering the contributions the former governor has made politically in the country.

Former Chairman of Mangu Local Government Area, Mr. Caleb Mutfwang, also said: “I felt very sad when I got the news of Dariye sentence.

“It’s a sad thing for Plateau State; it’s ending so badly for a man of great promise.”

Mutfwang said though he does not support corruption, the 14 years jail term was too hard for a man of his calibre giving his contribution to the polity of Nigeria.