PRESIDENT BUHARI PRESIDES OVER VIRTUAL AKK PROJECT FLAG OFF 7. R-L; President Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Senate Ahmed Ahmed and Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila during the Virtual Flag-off of the  Construction Phase of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project held at the Council Chambers of the State House. PHOTO; SUNDAY AGHAEZE; JUNE 30, 2020
News From MDA'STop StoryTrending Story

Council of States endorses late Gov. Alli’s pardon, three others 37 years after

220

 

 

The National Council of States on Thursday ratified the presidential pardon granted the late ex-governor of old Bendel State, Prof. Ambrose Alli over N900,000 corruption charge and three other Nigerians.

Others pardoned are Col. Moses Effiong, Major E.J  Olarenwaju (for attempted coup in the Ibrahim Babangida era) and Ajayi Olusola Babalola.

Persecondnews recalls that Alli ruled the state 1979—1983, now Edo and Delta states) on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria.

Although Ali later paid the money back to government, he was convicted by the military tribunal.

In attendance were four former heads of states – Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida; Chief Earnest Shonekan, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, however, was absent.

The ratification followed Malami’s presentation to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.

 

“The memo presented for consultation in line with one of the constitutional requirements and consideration of grant of pardon to 45 persons, two inmates for pardon, 39 inmates for clemency and four ex-convict for presidential pardon.

“To further clarify on the prerogative of mercy, Mr. president with COVID-19 pandemic, has directed the decongestion of our correctional centers across the country.

“And by way of collaborative action, the governors, heads of courts across the nations, have worked assiduously in collaboration with the presidential committee on decongestion of our correctional centers and at the end of the day we have succeeded in taking out over 4,000 inmates out of our correctional centers across the country.

“What we have today is a consolidation of what has been done and the strategies put in place to see to the decongestion of our correctional centers.

“As you are aware, more than 70 percent inmates in our correctional centers were awaiting trial across the country and a lot of considerations were put in place to ensure our correctional centers are decongested d the prerogative of mercy was one of such considerations by Mr. President,” he said.

Malami said the the Council of State also approved the appointment of two new legal practitioners as members of Federal Judicial Service Commission.

The AGF explained that the law confers on President Buhari the right to appoint members of the federal judicial service commission, subject to consultation with the council of State.

He said: “The exercise this morning relating to the presentation of the council memo was for the purpose of fulfilling the constitutional righteousness relating to the appointment of the two new legal practitioners, in essence it is to consult with the council of state out of desire for compliance with constitutional requirements.

“The two members to represent  Nigerian Bar Association on the federal judicial service commission are Namoso Ekanem (SAN), from Akwa Ibom state representing the South South geo-political zone and Mammud Abubakar Mogaji (SAN) from Niger State to represent the North-Central geo-political zone.”

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha, on his part, said the Council also approved the appointment of Mr Silas Agara, as the Chairman of National Population Commission.

Members of the commission are: Muhammed Chuso A. Dottijo, (Sokoto); Alhaji Razaq Gidado, (Kwara); Ibrahim Mohammed, (Bauchi); Joseph Kwai Shazin, (FCT); Engineer Bala Almu Banya, (Katsina); and Mrs Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin (Lagos).

President Buhari had in two separate letters dated March 20 and August 12, 2020, nominated Agara, a former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, to head the NPC.

Mustapha said council members also commended the Presidential Task Force on national response on COVID-19.

He said the council noted that the impact of the panel on the nation’s economy and the fact that it has exposed the weaknesses in the system.

Also, the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Mungonu, briefed on the security challenges facing the country and that the setting of National Centre for Control of Small and Light Weapons is to be domiciled in his office.

The Director General of Budget Office, Mr Ben Akabueze, who stood in for the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, said he briefed the council on the nation’s troubled economy, warned that  because of the effect of COVID-19 pandemic and drop in oil prices, the country might fall into recession.

 

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FG terminates Julius Berger’s N740bln Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road project

The Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day termination notice to...

Just in: FG withdraws treason charges against #Endbadgovernance protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja has terminated the treason charges brought...

Breaking: Pres. Tinubu orders release of #EndBadGovernance underage protesters

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors arrested...

Just in: Seven new ministers take oaths of office

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in seven newly appointed ministers, directing them...

Just in: Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN, Onnoghen, orders FG to unfreeze his account

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted...

ECOWAS, Nigeria, Morocco, Mauritania Commit to $26bln African Atlantic Gas Pipeline Project

“The project, conceived in 2016 during King Mohammed VI of Morocco’s visit...

#EndBadGovernance protests: AGF to Police: Transfer casefiles of 72 defendants to my office

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince...

NAGAFF Taps NPA MD, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, as Keynote Speaker for Silver Jubilee Anniversary

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has announced Dr....

Updated: Abuja Court grants N1.1 bln bail to 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a N10 million bail...

Just in: 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned in Abuja

The detained 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters just arrived at the Federal High Court...

Breaking: 10 fatalities confirmed as building collapses in Ibadan

A weehours building collapse in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Thursday...

Breaking: After five hours of screening, Senate confirms Bianca Ojukwu, six others as ministers

The Senate on Wednesday screened and confirmed the nominations of Ambassador Bianca...

Senate begins screening of seven ministerial nominees

The Senate has started screening the seven ministerial nominees of President Bola...

Alleged homosexuality: RCCG suspends two pastors, launches investigation

For allegedly breaching the church’s doctrine and the Holy Bible, two pastors...

Helicopter crash: NNPC Ltd. spokesman Soneye cancels golden jubilee birthday celebration in honour of departed souls

Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the chief corporate communications officer of the Nigerian National...

Biden in 30-minute phone call with Tinubu, hails Binance executive release

President Bola Tinubu and US President Joe Biden held a 30-minute phone...

Tinubu Receives Briefing on Local Currency Oil Sales Amid Pricing Disputes

President Bola Tinubu has received a briefing from the Implementation Committee on...

Kcee and Flavour engage in heated exchange over Igbo music style

The Nigerian music industry is once again witnessing a brewing fiery clash...

In Lagos, 150 Ajegunle widows, vulnerable lifted with food items, cash gifts

As part of efforts to provide succor and the much-needed support to...

Economic hardship: I’m not T-pain, you are mischievous, Tinubu replies Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has come under fire from the Presidency...