Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has approved the pardon, release and commutation of sentences of 13 inmates in the state’s correctional centres to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.

The governor exercised the power under the prerogative of mercy provided for in Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), in consultation with the state Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

This is contained in a statement by the governor’s media aide, Uche Anichukwu, on Thursday in Enugu.

Mr Anichukwu said 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, Osinachi Nnajieze.

He listed the beneficiaries to include 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.

Mr Anichukwu said that while some of the inmates were pardoned and released, the death sentences of some others were commuted to life imprisonment.

He said the governor’s decision followed reports of ill health, proven reform in character by the affected inmates, and recommendations by the Correctional Service to the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

Mr Anichukwu said the council, chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, comprises representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO).

It also included the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), among other reputable bodies in the justice sector.

Section 212 (1) of the 1999 Constitution empowers a state governor to grant pardon to a person convicted of an offence created by state law.

It also empowers him to grant respite from punishment, substitute a less severe form of punishment, or remit all or part of a punishment.

Section 212 (2) also provides that the governor shall exercise the powers after consultation with an advisory council of the state on the prerogative of mercy as may be established by state law. 

(NAN)