Joshua Chibi Dariye (born July 27 1957) assumed office as the Governor of Plateau State, Nigeria on May 29, 1999 on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He was re-elected for another four-year term starting in May 2003, and was impeached in November 2006.

Life before governorship

Born in Horop, Mushere, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, Dariye was a businessman before becoming a politician. He was a strong mobilizer for the election of President Olusegun Obasanjo in the People's Democratic Party Primaries in 1999 as well as Obasanjo's re-election in 2003. At a regional level, he has chaired the Governors' forum of the States in Northern Nigeria. Dariye's wife is named Valentina and together they have four children.

Governor

During his time as governor, he was arrested along in London, England on 20 January, 2004, with large sums of money. Serving governors have immunity from criminal prosecution and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an agency of the current administration established to check corrupt practices is waiting for 2007 to charge him to court for money laundering. He is accused of stealing about $9m of public funds and of money laundering.

Impeachment

In early October 2006, eight of the twenty-four state assembly members issued an impeachment notice against Dariye. In his defence, he stated that the notice was invalid as the eight did not form a quorum of the assembly. A crowd of Dariye's supporters tried to prevent the assembly members from entering the state assembly building. Riot police then fired into the crowd, killing two protestors.

Dariye was impeached on November 13, 2006. His deputy, Michael Botmang, became the new Governor. On March 10, 2007, after a Court of Appeals ordered Dariye reinstated as Governor, the Plateau State Government announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court.

On 27 April, 2007, the Supreme Court refused the appeal of the Plateau State Government and ordered the reinstatement of Dariye with immediate effect.

Following his reinstatement, Dariye's term of office as Governor of Plateau State concluded on 29 May 2007.

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