The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gudu, Abuja on Monday witnessed a revelation in the ongoing on case against the former Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Joshua Dariye.
The witness, a retired detective with the Metropolitan Police in London, Mr. Peter Clerk, narrated to the court the operation which led to the capture of the ex-governor in September, 2004.
Testifying in the N1.162 billion diverted Ecological Fund meant for Plateau State by the ex-Governor, Clerk explained to the court that the ex-Governor spent extravagantly, citing the purchase of a N3.5 million pen in London amongst other extravagant spendings before his arrest. He added that Dariye’s passport had several different stamps indicating his luxurious travelling around the globe.
“From the examination of Mr. Dariye’s account, he travelled all over the world. From his passport, we saw stamps of several countries.”
Adding that the ex-Governor lavished the sum of N2.45 million on seven pairs of shoes, “We found seven pairs of shoes which cost £700 per pair. He paid £7,000 for a pen. He purchased a lot of things in high luxurious stores.”
According to the witness, he started investigation into the ex-Governor in 2004 before he was eventually impeached in November, 2006.
He added that the Governor was arrested in his hotel room on September 28, 2004, while on a visit to London.
“On September 28, 2004, we were informed that Joshua Dariye was in London in a hotel. I went there with two other officers who also identified themselves as police officers.
“I informed him (Dariye) that we were investigating his accounts and we arrested and informed him under caution that we believed that the money was stolen and proceeds of money laundering. He said nothing.”
The witness added that the sum of N21.5 million was found on the governor as at the time of his arrest on September 28, 2004, adding that another N25 million out of which N20 million belonged to Dariye was also found on a lady identified as Christabel Bentu who claimed to have been the former Governor’s Personal Assistant.
“In September 2004, £43,000 in cash was found in Dariye’s room when it was searched. There were various denominations and currencies including Scottish notes, dollars, euros.
“The cash seized was packed into a container, for which he signed. It was photographed. I have copies of the photograph. Dariye and Christopher Bentu were taken to the police.”
The witness proceeded to reveal that upon searching one of Dariye’s properties, he found the sum of N5,997,500.00
“Dariye was informed that if he attempted to move any money, he would be charged for further money laundering.
“In September 2004, I looked at Joshua Dariye in the eyes and said to him, ‘I know you are a religious man’, I asked him if he would come back on December 14, 2004. He said ‘yes’, he would, but he failed to show up. Bentu also failed to show up.
“My colleague searched his property and found £11,995 on the premises and some flyers. They also found three Barclays cheques. They were all seized immediately we made an application for his arrest in London. The arrest warrant is still valid till today. It was circulated in all computers that Dariye was wanted.”
“From 1995, when the accounts were opened in Barclays Bank, there were very little activities on the account until May 1999 when he became the governor of Plateau State. I have six boxes of materials on this case,”
The witness also revealed that a London property valued at N197.5 million belonging to Dariye was seized by the UK government and repatriated along with seized cash to the Nigerian Government.
The presiding Judge, Justice Banjoko adjourned trial till June 6 for further hearing.
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