Enugu governor pardons or commutes sentences of 13 inmates

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has approved the pardon, release or commutation of sentences for 13 inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Centre in the state. The governor’s media aide, Uche Anichukwu, announced the decision in a statement on Thursday. He said it was made to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary and exercised under the governor’s constitutional power of prerogative of mercy.

According to Anichukwu, the decision was taken in consultation with the Enugu State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy. The approval was conveyed to the state command of the Nigerian Correctional Service by the attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Osinachi Nnajieze. The beneficiaries named by the governor’s aide were Kenneth Ozioko, Moses Saliyat, Promise Olung, Chijioke Ugwu, Samuel Ani, Eugene Odo, Celsus Emeachi, Caleb Jatto, Calistus Eze, Gabriel Onu, Timothy Ani, Ernest Okeke and Ejike Nwodo.

Anichukwu said some of the inmates had been pardoned and released, while others had their death sentences changed to life imprisonment. He said the action was based on reports of ill-health or evidence that inmates had reformed. The recommendations came from the Correctional Service and were considered by the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

The council is chaired by the state attorney-general. Its membership includes representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation and the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace, alongside other justice-sector bodies, according to the statement. Anichukwu cited Section 212 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, as the legal basis for the governor’s action.

He also referred to the provision requiring governors to exercise the power after consultation with an advisory council established under state law.