The Ministry of Justice has not issued a memo directing the release of former governor of Plateau State, Joshing Dariye and his counterpart from Taraba, Jolly Nyame as well as others from prison despite their pardon by the Council of State two months ago.
The former governors were among 159 inmates granted pardon at a council of state meeting held on April 14.
Dariye and Nyame were jailed for stealing public funds amounting to N2.76 billion.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abubakar Umar, told The PUNCH that NCS is awaiting a memo from the justice ministry in order to effect the release of the prisoners.
Mr Umar said, “Why they have not been released is because we are still waiting for correspondence from the Ministry of Justice. The moment we get that, we will effect their release. It is a presidential pardon, no doubt, but there must be a document to back their release. They can’t be released on pronouncement alone.”
The paper said it couldn’t get the media aide to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Umar Gwandu to comment on the development as he didn’t answer calls put through to his phone nor respond to a text message sent to him.
