![]() |
Officers of the Imo State Civil Guard stand on parade ground while Okorocha inspects their 'Guard of Honour' at the Government House Owerri on Ist October 2014 |
In exercise of his power
on prerogative of mercy the governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Owelle
Rochas Okorocha has granted pardon to 16 convicts serving in the prisons in Imo
State.
The governor acted on
the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of mercy, which he
had earlier set up with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in
the State, Chief Chukwuma – Machukwu Umeh (SAN) as chairman.
Eleven of the pardoned
convicts were imprisoned for non-capital offences and had almost finished
serving their prison terms, and have less than 6 months to serve out their
terms. Mr. Canice Egbunanne was pardoned on the ground of age. He
is 94 years old, while Mr. Chidi Nwosu also pardoned, is almost 70 years old.
Before granting them the
pardon on Wednesday 1st October, the Governor had also asked the
mammoth crowd at the event whether they would support that the 16 people
recommended for pardon by the Advisory Council on Prerogative of mercy should
be allowed to enjoy freedom, and the response was thunderously in the
affirmative.
Preceding the pardon of
the affected 16 convicts, the governor had delivered emotion-laden speech, extempore
that excited the crowd. The governor said at 54, this is the time
the country should address the vexed issues of insecurity, youths unemployment,
selfishness and corruption among leaders, lack of patriotism, emphasis on
ethnicity, insurgence and other challenges facing Nigeria as a nation.
Said he; “as a nation,
no better time to act and achieve the desired goals than now. We
must admit that things are not working out the way they should in
Nigeria. That will help us to wake up as a nation.”
He continued, “Democracy
has not functioned well in Nigeria. We have to strengthen our
democracy because it is not being practiced the way it should. When
that is done, then development is guaranteed. Nigerians should see themselves
as members of one family, and shun leaders who preach tribalism, religious
dichotomy and division among the political class.”
Governor Okorocha
praised the Army, Police, SSS and all security agents in the country for their services, adding that they have continued to
sacrifice their own
security and comfort to keep others secured.
Other convicts granted
pardon are, Uchenna Udum, Sunday Egwu, Amos Ishaya, Anyuba Bartholomew,
Benjamine Osunkwo, Okezie Obasi, Ifeanyi Nwokeji, Ogbonna Onyinyechi, Chidi Nwosu, and seven others.
![]() |
Governor Okorocha at the parade ground of the Imo State Government House on 1st October 2014 |
Present at the crowded
event were service Chiefs in the State, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, Secretary to the Government of Imo State,
Prof. Anthony Anwuka, Chief of Staff, Government House Owerri, Sir.
Jude Ejiogu, all government functionaries, Traditional rulers and
religious leaders.
No comments:
Post a Comment
..