Dariye: “Thank you for prayers, thank God for mercies”

Convicted former Nigerian Governor Joshua Dariye might be officially out of detention.

The former Plateau State Governor and Senator was in 2018 sentenced to 16 years in jail for N1.126bn fraud.

Nigerian officials last week granted pardon to 2,600 inmates nationwide.

Those qualified were age 60 and above, first offenders or among others, sick.

A local newspaper reported that Dariye and other politicians convicted for fraud were not qualified for the pardon.

However, born on 27th July, 1957, the native of Mushere Chiefdom in Plateau’s Bokkos Local Government Area, was never convicted of any crime until his 2018 sentence.

He has also been battling multiple ailments including optical, orthopedic and most recently rumoured renal complications.

With these, the father of three could have been considered for the pardon.

However, a post on Dariye’s official Facebook page on Saturday reads “I’m grateful to God for his mercies over my life. Thank you everyone for your prayers.”

Hundreds of comments and likes have followed the post but none was responded to.

A prison warder in Kuje Correctional Center Abuja where Dariye is held along with other high profile inmates said only 35 out of 70 pardoned inmates in the center have been released.

However, “Mr. President would make their (high profile inmates) own release public.”

“We are expecting a national broadcast or statement wherein he will confirm Dariye’s fate,” said the warder who wouldn’t be named for protocol reasons.

If confirmed, Dariye would be the first person to be pardoned of corruption related offences.