14 March 2013
We are alarmed by the decision of the National Council of States to pardon Mr.Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who was impeached as Governor of Bayelsa State and eventually convicted by a properly constituted court for stealing public funds; and Mr. Shetima Bulama a former Managing Director of the Bank of the North who was also convicted for misappropriating the bank’s funds.
While we appreciate that the Council of States does have a constitutional responsibility to pardon citizens who have obviously been convicted or punished in the past for offences, it is totally unacceptable that those who committed economic crimes in such magnitude that affected public interest be granted state pardon.
We still wonder what message the National Council of state is sending to Nigerians if at the height of unprecedented corruption in the country those who have been prosecuted and jailed for stealing public money are granted state pardon.
The Congress finds it incongruous the state pardon granted to the former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha and Mr Bulama
While like other citizens, they may be entitled to state pardon, Congress believes that the crimes committed are too weighty for state pardon.
It is our view that state pardon remains an act of mercy or reprieve dispassionately exercised or granted by the highest authority in the land for and on behalf of the government and people, and it should be a last act of mercy sparingly exercised for the good of the nation. State pardon is recognized across the world not for its own sake but for its potential and capacity for redressing judicial guilt, rewarding penitence, or for initiating reconciliation, and in some instances, for ensuring restoration, but never losing sight of national interest.
We are surprised that eminent members of the National Council of States could not have deeper reflections on the list brought before them by the Presidency before giving their endorsement.
Congress believes that decisions as weighty as state pardon should be well thought-out, transparent and devoid of any ulterior motive and accordingly, call for a reversal of the decision.
We also wish to remind those who canvass the view that the decision is sacrosanct because the National Council of States approved of it that the buck stops at Mr President’s table. And in any case the role of the Council of State is strictly advisory.
Congress in the light of the foregoing wishes to advise Mr President to make ample use of the machinery of state for wider and more qualitative consultation before taking weighty decisions.
Congress also holds the view that the confidence any government enjoys is to a large extent determined by the quality of advice it takes in the interest of the people
If the anti corruption battle must be won, the Presidency must lead by its actions.
Abdulwahed Omar
President
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