The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday reduced the prison term of former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye from 14 to 10 years.

The appellate court which reduced the prison term in a judgment following an appeal filed by Dariye, held that the trial court erred in law when it handed down the maximum sentence on Dariye having convicted him on an offence of criminal breach of trust.

Justice Adebukola Banjoko of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Gudu, Abuja had on June 12, 2018 sentenced Dariye to 14 years imprisonment having convicted him on criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation of public funds.

Justice Banjoko had found Dariye guilty on 15 of the 23 criminal charges levelled against him by the Federal Government.

Ruling on Dariye’s appeal against Justice Banjoko’s judgment, Justice Stephen Adah held that although sentencing is at the discretion of the judge, the court must however take into consideration the laws guiding sentencing.

Justice Adah said according to the provisions of the law, a first time offender cannot be handed down the maximum punishment on the offence of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.

The court therefore reduced the 14 years maximum sentence of the appellant for criminal misappropriation to 10 years. The sentences are however to run concurrently.