Marking
Nigeria's independence anniversary, governors of Ekiti and Plateau
states granted pardon to a number of prisoners on Tuesday, October 1.
Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti State governor, pardoned ten inmates -- two brothers on a death row among them.
16
years ago, brothers Olabode and Julius Abirifon were sentenced to death
by the State High Court, but had their death sentence communed to life
imprisonment.
Eight others, Ousola Ojo, Alex Qasum, Segun
Olowoyo, Simon Okewe, Opeyemi Ogundele, Joseph Adefase, Taiwo Ibikunle
and Kehinde Fagbemi, who had been serving various prison terms, were
released unconditionally.
The Governor said he was acting in
recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of
Mercy, and exercised the power conferred on him by the 1999
Constitution.
He, however, warned the 'ex-criminals' against
going back to their old habits, because saying anyone caught committing
crime would be prosecuted.
The Governor further announced
approval of six per cent increase in the monthly emolument of all
pensioners, with effect from January 2014.
With effect from
October, 5,000 more elderly citizens of the state would be accommodated
under his administration's Social Security Scheme.
He added that
another batch of 5,000 youths would be engaged under the Ekiti Youth
Volunteer Corps Scheme on a N10,000 monthly allowance. 1,800 youths
would be engaged under a newly-introduced Peace Corps Initiative to be
launched before the end of October.
The News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) reports that the reprieve that came their way was also in
commemoration of the 17 years of the creation of Ekiti state.
In Plateau State, Governor Jonah Jang granted amnesty to five prisoners who were serving various terms at the Jos Main Prison.
It
was explained in a statement signed by Mr James Mannok, Director of
Press Affairs, that the governor's action was in exercise of the powers
conferred on him under section 212 of the Nigeria Constitution.
The beneficiaries - Jerry Arin, Iveh Aramah, Peter Gazi, Domchang Jatau and Pankyes Yakubu - were released unconditionally.
The
statement urged the beneficiaries to reintegrate themselves into the
society and be of good conduct, while participating meaningfully to the
development of Plateau.