Former Governor of Plateau State and serving senator, Joshua Dariye, wept today, after a High Court in Abuja, sentenced him to 14 years’ imprisonment on charges of criminal breach of trust and misappropriation of over N1.16bn belonging to the state.

“Be merciful. You are a Christian, your name is Jacob,” Mr Dariye had told the judge before his sentencing.

He was first arraigned on a 23-count charge for the offence in 2007.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court, led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, sentenced Mr Dariye to two years in prison for criminal breach of trust and 14 years for criminal misappropriation of funds.

The sentences are to run concurrently. The court gave no option of fine.