A Human Right group in Nigeria, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights CDHR has faulted the latest decision of President Muhammad Buhari for granting state pardon to two “former governors ex-thieves” serving jail term. The CDHR, according to statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Idris Afees Olayinka, calls for immediate reversal of such state pardon which is also discriminatory in context.
The statement reads in part:
“The committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, faults the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Council of State granting pardon to two ex-thieves who had one time or the other looted public treasury. It is wrong to grant pardon to people who steal public funds. The news of the pardon granted by Mr. President flooded the media on Thursday April 17th, 2022 after the Council of State meeting.
“Two former Governors were granted state pardon alongside 157 others. The former Governor of Taraba State, Rev Jollly Nyame and former Plateau State Governor, Joshua Dariye were convicted, sentenced and jailed for corruption after the expiration of their tenure as state Governors.
“Dariye and Nyame were both jailed for stealing N1.16bn and N1.6bn, respectively. According to a Presidency source, the two former governors were pardoned on health and age grounds.
“CDHR also sees the pardon granted the former Governors as discriminatory as such pardon should have been extended to all thieves serving jail term for corruption as under the 1999 constitution, there is equality for all citizens.
“CDHR learnt that one Francis Atuche’s request to be grant pardon was rejected as he is to continue to serve his 6-year jail term. Atuche was a former Managing Director of Bank PHB, who was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment for fraud.
“The decision of Mr. President and the Council of State should be reversed and allow them to complete their jail terms to serve as deterrent to others who are currently holding public offices; otherwise extend such pardon to all thieves in Nigerian correctional facilities currently serving jail terms for various corrupt offences.