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What the record shows
- 01
Convicted by Federal High Court Abuja on 12 June 2018 of misappropriating ₦1.16 billion ecological fund; sentenced to 14 years (reduced to 10 on appeal). Pardoned by President Muhammadu Buhari on 14 April 2022 alongside fellow former Governor Jolly Nyame. The pardons drew sustained criticism from EFCC, civil society, and international anti-corruption organisations.
High confidence · 85% - 02
Convicted by Federal High Court Abuja on 12 June 2018 of misappropriating ₦1.16 billion ecological fund; sentenced to 14 years (reduced to 10 on appeal). Pardoned by President Muhammadu Buhari on 14 April 2022 alongside Jolly Nyame. The pardons drew sustained criticism from EFCC, civil society and international anti-corruption organisations.
High confidence · 95%
Identity & Background
Asset declaration notes
Subject of extensive UK and Nigerian asset-forfeiture proceedings. Confidence: 75%
| Relation | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| family background | Tarok Christian family from Mikang LGA | — |
| Institution | Qualification | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria | Bachelor's degree | 1980–? |
Governor of Plateau (1999-2007). Convicted of misappropriating ₦1.16 billion ecological fund in 2018 (sentence reduced to 10 years on appeal); pardoned by President Buhari in April 2022.
Fiscal & Debt Profile
Senator (Plateau Central)
2015 – 2019
Tenure-Bookended Debt Position
At swearing-in
—
At handover
—
Net change
—
Loan Agreements / Borrowing Authorised
No loans on record.
Major Projects Funded
No projects on record.
Audit Findings & Accountability Issues
No audit findings on record for this tenure.
Governor of Plateau State
29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007 · Plateau
Tenure-Bookended Debt Position
At swearing-in
29 May 1999
At handover
29 May 2007
Net change
—
Loan Agreements / Borrowing Authorised
| Facility | Lender | Amount | Stated purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Eurobond era routine borrowing | Domestic Bond Issue | — | Multiple commercial facilities | disbursed |
| Ecological fund disbursements | — | — | Federal ecological fund disbursements to Plateau during tenure — subject of subsequent conviction | disbursed |
Major Projects Funded
| Project | Sector | Stated cost | Funding | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plateau ethnic-religious crisis | — | ₦18.0m | — | Tenure marked by serial ethno-religious violence; Obasanjo imposed 6-month emergency rule 18 May - 18 November 2004 |
| UK arrest (September 2004) | — | — | — | Arrested in London by Metropolitan Police over alleged money laundering; jumped bail |
Audit Findings & Accountability Issues
No audit findings on record for this tenure.
Tenures & Public Office
| Office | Period | Party | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Senator (Plateau Central) | 2015 – 2019 | — | — | |
Governor of Plateau State Plateau | 29 May 1999 – 29 May 2007 | — | — |
Electoral History
| Election | Position | Party | Year | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Senate (Plateau Central) | Senator | APC | 2015 | won Won |
| 2003 Plateau Governorship | Governor | PDP | 2003 | won Won (re-elected) |
| 1999 Plateau Governorship | Governor | PDP | 1999 | won Won |
Performance & Policies
Plateau ethnic-religious crisis
Tenure marked by serial ethno-religious violence in Plateau; emergency rule imposed by Obasanjo 18 May 2004 - 18 November 2004
Public Statements & Promises
"Maintained innocence throughout trial"
"Limited post-pardon public engagement"
Network & Relationships
Co-pardoned with
Pardoned by
Media Coverage
Heavy 2004 UK arrest coverage
Sustained 2018 conviction coverage
April 2022 pardon coverage with civil-society criticism
BBC, Reuters, Guardian (UK) investigative coverage
Timeline
Governor of Plateau State
Arrested in London
Plateau under emergency rule
Senator, Plateau Central
Convicted; sentenced to 14 years
Sentence reduced to 10 years on appeal
Pardoned by President Buhari
Sources
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