Independence: Gov Mbah Grants Clemency to 13 Inmates

Our Reporter

In commemoration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the pardon, release and commutation of sentences of 13 inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Service facilities in the state.

The decision was taken in exercise of the Governor’s constitutional powers under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and following consultation with the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Enugu State.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Governor’s media aide, Uche Anichukwu, the approval was conveyed to the Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, by the Chief of Staff to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze.

The beneficiaries are Kenneth Ozioko, Moses Saliyat, Promise Ndudim Olung, Chijioke Ugwu, Samuel Ani and Eugene Odo.

Others are Celsus Emeachi, Caleb Jatto, Calistus Eze, Gabriel Onu, Timothy Ani, Ernest Okeke and Ejike Nwodo.

The statement said while some of the inmates were granted pardon and released, others had their sentences commuted, including the commutation of death sentences to life imprisonment.

It said the Governor’s decision was based on reports of ill health and evidence of reform in character by some of the inmates.

The recommendations followed reports from the Correctional Service to the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Enugu State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

The Council, according to the statement, also comprises representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), and other reputable bodies within the justice sector.

The exercise is in line with the constitutional framework governing the prerogative of mercy at the state level.

Section 212(1) of the 1999 Constitution empowers a state governor to grant pardon to persons convicted of offences created by state law, grant a respite from punishment, substitute a less severe form of punishment, or remit the whole or part of a punishment or penalty imposed for such an offence.

The Constitution also provides under Section 212(2) that the Governor shall exercise the powers under subsection (1) after consultation with the state Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, as established by law.

The latest exercise by Governor Mbah therefore forms part of the state’s application of the constitutional provisions on mercy, rehabilitation and the administration of justice as the country marks its 66th year of independence.