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

234

 

 

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

NPA’s CEO Dantsoho Makes History as First Nigerian Chairman of PMAWCA

In a groundbreaking achievement, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian...

Just in: Senate confirms Omolola Oloworaran as DG PENCOM

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Omolola Oloworaran for appointment...

Just in: Senate approves Tinubu’s $2.2 bln loan request

The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2...

Just in: Reps reject bill for six-year single tenure for president, governors

The House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment bill on Thursday seeking...

Just in: Simon Ekpa, four others arrested in Finland over terror-related activities

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in...

NPA warns public against fake procurement contracts on social media

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has alerted the public to the activities...

Just in: FG sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Bernard Odoh,...

Senate raises alarm over fresh terrorists’ invasion from Mali, Burkina Faso, urges FG’s action 

Upset by the invasion of terrorists known as Lakurawa into Northern Nigeria...

Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ ambush: Defence HQ confirms killing of 5 soldiers in Borno

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists ambushed troops conducting...

Tinubu writes NASS for approval of $2.2bln fresh external loan

President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly, seeking the approval...

NNPC Ltd’s spokesman, Soneye, explains delay in Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation, assures of imminent completion

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has acknowledged the challenges...

AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria’s Super Eagles Suffer Shocking 2-1 Loss to Rwanda

Nigeria’s Super Eagles concluded their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers...

Tax reform bills: Nigeria struggling with tax-to-GDP ratio below World Bank’s 15 % benchmark – Speaker Abbas

Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has expressed...

Just in: Again, Anambra sit-at-home claims four vigilance operatives, motorcyclist

Gunmen enforcing Monday’s sit-at-home order in Anambra State launched a deadly attack,...

Tinubu departs Abuja for G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on...

Breaking: APC’s Aiyedatiwa in landslide victory, wins all 18 LGAs in Ondo guber poll

The All Progressives Congress Candidate, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has swept the 2024...

Ondo guber poll: Aiyedatiwa votes, says exercise peaceful, PDP raises alarm over thugs invasion

As the Ondo State governorship election kicks off on Saturday, Gov. Lucky...

Late COAS Lagbaja buried in Abuja amid tears, tributes

Amid tears and tributes, the body of the late Chief of Army...

Tinubu appoints Daniel Bwala, Atiku’s ex-spokesman as Special Adviser on Media, three DGs

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Media...

Just in: Body of late COAS Lagbaja arrives in Abuja ahead of Friday burial

The body of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja,...