Enugu Governor Peter Mbah pardons and commutes the sentences of 13 inmates, citing ill health and evidence of reformed character.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has demonstrated compassion and the spirit of forgiveness by approving the pardon, release and commutation of sentences of 13 inmates in the state as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The governor exercised his constitutional powers under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, following recommendations by the Enugu State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
The approval was conveyed to the Enugu State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze.
The beneficiaries of the governor’s decision are Kenneth Ozioko, Moses Saliyat, Promise Ndudim Olung, Chijioke Ugwu, Samuel Ani, Eugene Odo, Celsus Emeachi, Caleb Jatto, Calistus Eze, Gabriel Onu, Timothy Ani, Ernest Okeke and Ejike Nwodo.
While some of the inmates were granted outright pardon and released, others had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
The decision followed reports of ill health and evidence of reformed character among some of the beneficiaries, based on recommendations from the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, which reviewed the cases, is chaired by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Its membership includes representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP) and other justice-sector organisations.
The governor’s decision reflects the constitutional provision for executive clemency and provides an opportunity for the beneficiaries to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.
The exercise also forms part of the state’s activities to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary, with the governor extending an act of mercy to inmates who met the relevant criteria for clemency.
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