Joshua Dariye, the former Plateau state governor, was in tears before Justice Adebukola Banjoko as he pleaded that the Justice tampers justice with mercy. He was however handed a 14-year jail term for diverting N1.1 billion from the state when he was governor. 
Dariye’s counsel, Paul Eroko, pleaded for the court to temper justice with mercy as his client was misled by some persons. “Appeals to your judgement do not succeed, we will fall on your mercy. The prisons are congested. They misled the governor, it is the bank, they said he didn’t have to present anything.” he said 
Rotimi Jacobs, counsel to EFCC ,said Dariye did not deserve a light sentence; “He is not remorseful, his case should serve as a deterrence,” Jacobs said. This point got Dariye to voice out as he pleaded to be heard. “Have mercy, you are a Christian, your name is Jacob,” he said. Justice Banjoko, however, sentenced him to 14 years in jail without an option of fine. Photo Credit: Getty
