Joshua Dariye

Early Life and Background

Joshua Chibi Dariye was born on July 27, 1957, in Horop, Mushere, located within the Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. He hails from the Mushere ethnic group, an indigenous community in the central Nigerian state. Dariye grew up in a period of significant political and social change in Nigeria, which undoubtedly influenced his later career path. His early life was characterized by a foundational education in his home state, setting the stage for his subsequent academic and professional pursuits.

Education

Joshua Dariye commenced his formal education at the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School, Horop, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1970. He then proceeded to Government Secondary School, Riyom, Plateau State, completing his secondary education and earning his West African School Certificate in 1975. Demonstrating an early aptitude for finance, Dariye pursued higher education at the University of Jos, Plateau State, where he first obtained a Diploma in Accounting in 1980. He continued his studies at the same institution, graduating with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Accounting in 1982. Following his university education, Dariye further enhanced his qualifications by attending the London School of Accountancy in London, United Kingdom, between 1984 and 1985, where he successfully qualified as a Chartered Accountant, earning the designation of Associate of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ACA).

Early Career and Political Ascent

Upon returning to Nigeria after his professional qualification, Joshua Dariye embarked on a career in accounting and finance. He gained valuable experience working in various capacities within both the public and private sectors. His professional background equipped him with an intricate understanding of financial management and public administration, which would prove instrumental in his later political career. Dariye's entry into politics coincided with Nigeria's transition to democratic rule in 1999, marking the dawn of the Fourth Republic. He joined the People's Democratic Party (PDP), a dominant political force, and quickly rose through its ranks, leveraging his connections and grassroots support within Plateau State.

Governorship of Plateau State (1999-2007)

In 1999, Joshua Dariye successfully contested and was elected as the Governor of Plateau State under the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), taking office on May 29, 1999. He was re-elected for a second term in 2003, serving until 2007. During his tenure, Dariye's administration initiated several development projects across the state, focusing on infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Notable achievements included road construction, renovation of schools, and efforts to boost agricultural productivity. However, his time as governor was also significantly marred by ethno-religious conflicts that plagued Plateau State, particularly the Jos crises, which posed immense security and humanitarian challenges to his administration. His handling of these crises often drew criticism, despite his efforts to promote peace and reconciliation.

Major Controversies and Legal Battles

Joshua Dariye's governorship was heavily overshadowed by allegations of corruption and financial impropriety. In 2004, he was arrested in London by the Metropolitan Police on charges related to money laundering, specifically accused of diverting approximately £1.5 million (equivalent to ₦300 million at the time) of public funds. He later jumped bail and fled back to Nigeria. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of Nigeria subsequently launched an investigation into his activities, accusing him of diverting ecological funds belonging to Plateau State, amounting to ₦1.16 billion. This led to an attempt to impeach him by a faction of the Plateau State House of Assembly in October 2006, an action that was later nullified by the Supreme Court of Nigeria in January 2007, which reinstated him as governor. Despite his reinstatement, he was effectively barred from contesting the 2007 gubernatorial elections due to his legal entanglements and EFCC investigations. He was re-arrested by the EFCC in 2007 after leaving office, initiating a prolonged legal battle.

Senatorial Tenure (2011-2015)

Despite his ongoing legal challenges, Joshua Dariye made a political comeback in 2011, winning election to the Nigerian Senate, representing the Plateau Central Senatorial District. He ran under the platform of the Labour Party (LP), demonstrating his continued political influence in his home state. During his time in the Senate, he served on various committees, contributing to legislative processes. He later defected from the Labour Party back to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the run-up to the 2015 general elections, reflecting the fluid nature of Nigerian party politics.

Conviction, Imprisonment, and Presidential Pardon

The legal battle against Joshua Dariye culminated on June 12, 2018, when a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, presided over by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, found him guilty on 15 out of 23 counts of criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation of public funds, specifically the ₦1.16 billion ecological fund. He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for criminal breach of trust and two years for criminal misappropriation, with the sentences to run concurrently. Dariye appealed the judgment, but the Court of Appeal upheld his conviction in November 2018, though it reduced the sentence for criminal breach of trust to 10 years. The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on March 12, 2021, affirmed the Court of Appeal's judgment, upholding the 10-year prison sentence. He was incarcerated at Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja. In a significant development, President Muhammadu Buhari granted Joshua Dariye a presidential pardon in April 2022, along with other high-profile inmates. He was subsequently released from Kuje prison on August 8, 2022, after serving approximately four years of his sentence.

Personal Life

Joshua Dariye is married to Veronica Dariye, and their union has been blessed with children. Throughout his public life, his family has largely maintained a private profile, though they have undoubtedly shared in the challenges and triumphs of his political career. Dariye is a Christian, and his faith is understood to be a significant aspect of his personal life.

Legacy

Joshua Dariye's legacy is complex and multifaceted. On one hand, he is remembered by some for his contributions to the development of Plateau State during his two terms as governor, particularly in infrastructure. His political resilience, demonstrated by his return to the Senate amidst legal battles, also speaks to his enduring influence in Plateau politics. On the other hand, his legacy is inextricably linked to the landmark corruption case against him. His conviction, which involved the diversion of substantial public funds, became a symbol of Nigeria's protracted struggle against corruption and demonstrated the judiciary's capacity to hold high-ranking officials accountable. The subsequent presidential pardon, however, introduced a contentious element to his story, raising questions about the consistency and impact of anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria. His journey from governor to convict and then to a pardoned citizen encapsulates many of the paradoxes and challenges within Nigerian governance and justice.