Former Plateau State Governor Joshua Dariye has formally filed a complaint with the police, accusing Emmanuel Odogwu and Franklin Gideon (also known as Kelvin) of swindling him out of $290,000 through the sale of a counterfeit Polo wristwatch.

In his petition, dated November 19, 2024, Dariye stated, "I wish to file a complaint for Criminal Conspiracy, Breach of Trust, Obtaining Money by False Pretenses, and Fraud."

He said, “I paid them the money and they promised to supply same. They did supply the Polo wrist but I discovered it was fake.” Dariye later confirmed from Polo Company that the watch was counterfeit and pleaded, “I kindly request your esteemed office to track and arrest the suspects… and help recover the $290,000.”

Investigations eventually revealed Franklyn Ojo Jatto as a key suspect. It is alleged that he converted the funds into ₦250 million, purchased a property in Abuja worth ₦145 million, and deposited ₦100 million into a secure account. Authorities have frozen over 16 of his bank accounts. The affidavit warns that unless the court intervenes, the suspect might sell the property and use the illicit gains. Meanwhile, ex-senator Darie, who was previously convicted of embezzling ₦1.16 billion in ecological funds, had his conviction upheld by the Supreme Court in 2021.

ASA