Faulting the granting of state pardon to the former Bayelsa State Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, former Chief of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya; Major Bello Magaji, among others, the Say NO Campaign Nigeria, a Coalition of Youth Civil Society Organization (CYCSO) yesterday pushed for the amendment of Section 175 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution to prevent economic and financial criminals from enjoying state pardon.
The National Council of States (NCS) presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan had endorsed state pardon for Alamieyeseigha, former Chief of General Staff, Gen. Oladipo Diya; Major Bello Magaji; Mohammed Lima Biu; Maj.-Gen. Abdulkareem Adisa (posthumous); Major Seun Fadipe and former head of the Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the Secretary of the Say No campaign, Barrister Cynthia Mbamalu, and Deputy Coordinator , Bukhari Jega, said that state pardons should only be granted to those who were convicted in questionable circumstances and young ex-convicts who have demonstrated ability to lead crime-free lives.
Barrister Mbamalu said: “We are concerned that the pardon recently granted to Diepreye Alamieyeseigha is an indirect endorsement of the looting of the public treasury by public officials. We call for restraint in the granting of state pardon in order to prevent corruption with impunity and also to avoid sending the wrong signals to current office holders.
“In the light of the government’s presupposed commitment to anti-corruption fight, this grant of pardon is unacceptable, insensitive and dishonorable.”
She went on: “Considering that our laws are not infallible, we therefore demand the following: An amendment of Section 175 (1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution as amended to include a proviso excluding the power to grant pardon on persons indicted or convicted of economic and financial crime while acting in an official capacity.
“An amendment to Section 175 (2) of the 1999 Constitution to include the following paragraphs: (a) The president shall in consultation with the Council of State forward the list of persons who have applied for pardon to the National Judicial Council and National Assembly for confirmation and approval.”
“(b) The National Judicial Council shall among other things determine if the applicant has become remorseful and of good conduct.”
“(c) Powers of the President to grant pardon shall be exercised on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and confirmation by the National Assembly.”
The group emphasized that their reaction to the state pardon is not based on personal vendetta but to call the attention of Government to the impact of this action on the anti-corruption crusade.
The group promised to approach foreign embassies in Nigeria and prevail upon them to refuse visas to indicted public officials who have committed Economic and Financial Crimes
