Alamieyeseigha's Pardon: "US Desist from making unwarranted comments on Nigeria's internal Affairs"- Fed Govt.

Alamieyeseigha's Pardon: "US Desist from making unwarranted comments on Nigeria's internal Affairs"- Fed Govt.
Coined from various newspapers

The federal government yesterday summoned the Deputy US Embassy Chief of Mission, to protest a statement credited to the spokeswoman of the Embassy, Deb MacLean, on the Embassy’s Twitter account.

The Ministry expressed the hope that “the Embassy of the United States of America would henceforth desist from making unwarranted comments on Nigeria’s internal affairs, which are capable of undermining the friendly relations that exist between both countries.”

According to a late night statement from the ministry, Nigeria deplores the use of the words “deeply disappointed” over the pardon and “a setback in the fight against corruption” in Nigeria.

Furthermore People are beginning to speak out on the issue of the state pardon granted on the former Bayelsa State Governor Chief  D.S.P Alamieyeseigha..

Prof Itse Sagay (SAN) believed the pardon was in order, considering that Alamieyeseigha had been tried and convicted, with his property seized, whereas there are thousands of corruption cases in court that are not being followed up.

He commended Jonathan for granting the ex-governor pardon, adding: “There is one particular case of a man that got perpetual injunction at the High Court level to stop his probe and trial and nothing has happened about it till today. What type of corruption are we still fighting?

“There is nothing relevant between Alamieyesiegha and corruption anymore. The government should stop running after its wrong enemies. There are those corrupt government officials that are walking freely. These are the people that the government should go after. Alamieyesiegha deserved to be pardoned.”

In another brief, Prof Steve Azaike said much as it is true that Alamieyeseigha made some mistakes, but he was a victim of political manipulation, because of his strong position on resource control, fair distribution of our oil wealth, with special consideration to those who produce the oil.
“Only yesterday, two members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly said they were forced to sign documents to impeach Alamieyeseigha. It is in the wisdom of the President and the National Council of State to give pardon. It is not the first in history.”

He added: “What the President and the National Council of State have done is morally and politically correct. The pardon will give Alamieyeseigha a second chance to contribute to the progress, peace and development of our country.”

Dr. Doyin Akukpe talking to newsmen said
“It was God and Providence that lifted President Jonathan over and above his former political boss. But in truth, Alamieyeseigha since he left prison had been working strenously and silently to assist the President stabilise the amnesty in the region. “Alamieyeseigha is a foremost leader of the Ijaw nation and his political and stabilising influence in that region have impacted positively on the overall economy of the nation, bringing crude oil exports from the abysmally low level of 70,000 bpd, to over 2.4million bpd!

Therefore, it is obvious that Alamieyeseigha has been a major player since his release from prison in ensuring that the blood that runs through the Nigerian economy artery is not cut off.”

The major concern of many patriotic and reasonable Nigerians is whether the decision is morally right of if it will send wrong signals on governments anti-corruption crusade.

“These two considerations are my major objectives in addressing this conference and I once again, wish to plead that our people should hear me out and allow us to reason together. On the issue of morality, I want to state categorically here, that state or presidential pardon are not intended for nobility or saints.

In general, a state pardon is for those who have committed crimes and breached the laws of the land and may or may not have been tried or convicted regardless of their social status. “A pardon is the forgiveness of a crime and the cancellation of the relevant penalty; it is usually granted by the head of state, or by acts of parliament or a religious authority.

Today, pardons are granted in many countries when individuals have demonstrated that they have fulfilled their debt to society, or are otherwise considered to be deserving.

Also, a prerogative of mercy by definition is not a justiceable affair. It has to do with discretion and the necessity to redress bitterness and thereby offer healing and forgiveness especially in the presence of evidence of remorse and potential to add value to the country,” he said.

Also yesterday, the Executive Secretary of the National Summit Group (NSG), Mr Tony Uranta, deplored the opposition to the Alamieyeseigha pardon. He said on television in Lagos yesterday ---”Alamieyeseigha contributed enormously to the ongoing amnesty in the Niger Delta and every Nigerian is currently benefitting from it because of the crude oil production that has doubled after the amnesty.

“He played a great role in helping to keep peace in the country and he has done his time in prison.

“Should Alamieyeseigha not be pardoned because he is a minority?”

He wondered why there was no brouhaha when other people were pardoned in the past.

His words: “Why the focus on Alamieyeseigha when coupists are among those that were pardoned?”

Mr Nathan Egba also spoke out on this issue. In his words; "I expect that Nigerians should by now learn not to rush to judgment each time there is a presidential decision that appears controversial. In this particular case Mr President ought to be commended for his courage in granting state pardon to all those affected, particularly Gen. Diya and his colleagues as well as Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha.

As a man of conscience and high moral standing, Mr President knows that former governor sins were more political than criminal, in those hectic days of the infamous ‘political EFCC.”

NOBODY PARDONED ME –Diya

… Nobody pardoned me –Diya

From LAYI OLANREWAJU, Ilorin, BIMBO OYESOLA, Lagos, FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa, ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi and AIDOGHIE PAULINUS, Abuja for the Sun News.

Controversy yesterday trailed the state pardon granted former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Lt. Gen, Oladipo Diya, the late Major-Gen Abdulkareem Adisa, Major Bello Magaji, Mohammed Lina Bin, Major Segun Fadile and former Managing Director, Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama as rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) said President Goodluck Jonathan goofed by endorsing last Tuesday’s Council of State action.

The council also pardoned former Bayelsa State Governor DSP Alamieyeseigha. Falana said Gen. Diya and others implicated in the 1995 coup against the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, were pardoned by his successor, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar in 1999.

Falana sent in a copy of the document granting the state pardon, which was reproduced here. Reacting to Falana’s claim yesterday, Diya said he was not aware Gen. Abubakar granted him any pardon. But commenting on the pardon, Falana wrote in a text message sent to Daily Sun yesterday: “As I am out of Lagos, I have asked my secretary to send the statutory instrument to you.

The Presidency should stop playing on the collective intelligence of Nigerians, since there is no provision for double pardon under the law. “In view of the grave official error, the list of the convicts granted unconditional pardon should be reviewed to avoid any further embarrassment.” However, in a telephone interview from his United Kingdom base yesterday, Diya debunked the allegation that he was granted state pardon in 1999 for his role in the phantom coup against Abacha. Diya denied the alleged 1999 state pardon, saying if it was done in 1999, he ought to have been paid what he is supposed to be paid.

According to Diya, “if it was done in 1999, I have not been paid what I am supposed to be paid: pension, gratuity, et cetera. So, I only believe that since there was nothing mentioned about it, the gratuity and pension, it has not been done.” The Ogun state-born former CGS said if it was done in 1999, then there should have been a formal letter written to him. He said “because if it was done in 1999, there should have been a formal letter written to me.

But no letter, no payment, no gratuity. But like this one that has been announced now, I know there will be a letter from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, formally informing me about this decision and all that go with it, be done,” Diya added. Revealing his mood about the state pardon, Diya said “I feel good, I feel very, very happy,” saying “the only remark I would have is that I wouldn’t be happy if anybody is left out on the phantom coup list because I am not sure of the list yet. Some names are there, others are not there. Somebody is telling me that General Olarenwaju’s name is not there.”

Diya ended the conversation by further enquiring from our reporter whether names of Cols. Akiode and Edwin Jando were included. Meanwhile, Adisa’s widow, Hajia Ramat, has commended President Jonathan, the National Assembly and Nigerians in general for the post- humous state pardon granted her husband. Speaking with newsmen in Ilorin on Wednesday, Hajia Adisa said the gesture was a welcome development, adding that the entire family of the late General would remain grateful to Nigerians.

Hajia Adisa, who said she would have been happier if the late General was alive like other officers alleged to have participated in the 1995 coup, however, gave thanks to the Almighty God for making the state pardon possible. Executive Secretary of the National Summit Group (NSG), Mr. Tony Uranta, lauded the pardon for Alamieyeseigha, saying it was justifiable and in order.

Uranta told newsmen in Lagos that Alamieyeseigha deserved forgiveness by the National Council of State because of his role in ensuring peace and progress in Niger Delta. Uranta said that the pardon was in tandem with practices all over the world. “The United States of America during the tenure of Bill Clinton granted state pardon to his brother who was involved in drug trafficking.

That notwithstanding, Alamieyeseigha played great roles in bringing the Niger Delta insurgency to an end. He risked his life to ensure that there was peace in the Niger Delta so as not to affect the nation’s economy that depends so much on oil for revenue.

And he is still playing same roles to ensure that the peace in the region is sustained,” he said. President Jonathan, Uranta said, had the prerogative to reject or embrace the advice of the Council of State and since he approved of their recommendations showed it was the right thing to do.”

Also, the immediate past commissioner for information, who also served under Alamieyeseigha, Chief Nathan Egba, Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Political Matters, Chief Fred Agbedi and Bayelsa State Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oson, said the gesture was timely.

Egba said in tabling the request for state pardon before the Council of State, Jonathan as a man of conscience, knows that Alamieyeseigha suffered political persecution. His words: “I expect that Nigerians should by now learn not to rush to judgment each time there is a presidential decision that appears controversial. In this particular case Mr President ought to be commended for his courage in granting state pardon to all those affected, particularly Gen. Diya and his colleagues as well as Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha.

As a man of conscience and high moral standing, Mr President knows that former governor sins were more political than criminal, in those hectic days of the infamous ‘political EFCC.”