The furore over the state pardon granted DSP Alamieyeseigha, the first elected governor of Bayelsa State, confirms the people’s right to make their opinions known, especially in a democracy.
Access to the internet and the social media, which is producing many “self publishers”, gave a vast coverage to the pardon.
Governments use state pardons to restore rights of citizens who could have been suspended as a result of crimes against the state as confirmed by the verdicts of courts of competent jurisdiction. Most countries of the world provide for presidential or state pardons under the concept of prerogative of mercy. They are never less controversial even in those jurisdictions.
Section 175 of the Constitution of the 1999 provides for the prerogative of mercy. It stipulates that the President can pardon those who commit certain offences on the advice of the Council of State. Such reprieve might entail partial or total restoration of privileges and rights suspended by virtue of the conviction.
Alamieyeseigha was convicted for stealing and laundering public funds. He was removed from office as governor, tried and jailed. He pleaded guilty and served out his prison term.
He also gave up the stolen funds and property seen to be proceeds of the crime. After about eight years, he sought state pardon and the Council of State advised the President to grant him.
State pardons are for sinners not saints. The point is important in the context of those condemningthePresident orAlamieyeseigha. Many prominent Nigerians who have played leading roles in shaping the destiny of our country were pardoned after ostracism. The list includes Chief Obafemi Awolowo, General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, and General Olusegun Obasanjo
The sticky point in the Alamieyeseigha pardon, perhaps, is the circumstances surrounding it. If the President Goodluck Jonathan and Alamieyeseigha were not of the same ethnic stock would the criticisms have been less strident? Would their relationship, being on the same gubernatorial ticket have disqualified Alamieyeseigha from a pardon? Also pardoned is Alhaji Mohammed Bulama, former Bank of the North managing director.
Critics mention the unsolved burden over the pending cases against Alamieyeseigha in England from which he jumped bail. Do we remember Joshua Chibi Dariye, who as Governor of Plateau State jumped bail in England, who is still under prosecution for corruption? He sits in the Senate, making laws, including ones against corruption. There is no outrage about him; maybe he has not been convicted.
Government’s handling of the pardon, from the denials to the confirmation, is possibly the biggest indictment of its management of a decision that has left many wondering where government stands on corruption. It should not have been so.
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