GEJ: FIGHTING CORRUPTION INDEED by Olarewaju Olaniyi Precious
We all woke up to the news of the proposed granting of "Presidential Pardon" to a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamaiyeseigha by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Tuesday prior to the meeting of the Council of State. The news went viral and spread like wildfire on Social Media sites such as; Twitter and Facebook. The vast majority of Nigerians on hearing this, widely condemned such a despicable and inglorious action by a man who has repeatedly claimed "No other government has ever fought corruption like the way his government is doing". Later in the day, after the Council of State meeting ended, it was made known officially that Mr. President has granted a "Presidential Pardon" to his erstwhile Boss whom he served as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and still reveres as “his benefactor”.
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was the Governor of Bayelsa State between May 29, 1999 and December 9, 2005. He became very popular when he was detained in September 2005 in London, over an allegation of Money Laundering by the Metropolitan Police. At the time of his arrest, the Police found about £1 million cash (N235million then) in his London house and they later found another £1.8 million (N423million then) in cash and bank accounts. Investigations revealed he has real estates in London allegedly worth about £10 million (N 2.35billion then). Alamaiyeseigha was also found to have numerous properties and business interests in the United States, Denmark, Seycelles, Cyprus, South Africa, Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands. He was later released on bail on stringent conditions but, Alamieyeseigha ignominiously jumped bail and escaped from London to Nigeria disguised as a woman.
Alameiyeseigha was impeached from Office as Governor on December 9, 2005 by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly following his escape back home from the UK. After his impeachment, corruption charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On July 26, 2007, he pleaded guilty before the Court to a six count charge and was subsequently sentenced to two years imprisonment on each count, which were to run concurrently starting from the day of his arrest by the EFCC, his actual sentence was relatively short. Many of his assets were ordered to be forfeited to the Bayelsa State Government. On July 27, hours after he was taken to prison, he was released as a result of the completion of his prison sentence. Alamieyeseigha claimed he pleaded guilty due to his age, else he would have fought the charges had he been he was younger.
This is the story of a man His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces granted a "Presidential Pardon". Mr President may have acted within the powers bestowed on his office by the constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria as regards the granting of "Prerogative of Mercy" vis-a-vis the Council of State. The Council of State is established under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides as follows:
"The Council of State shall have the power to (a) advice the President in the exercise of his powers with regards to the (ii) Prerogative of Mercy"
Therefore, while the Council deliberate and advise, Mr President has a final decision.
Hence, granting a "Presidential pardon" by Mr President is no doubt legal, since it is provided for by the constitution. What however raised dust is the morality of granting pardon to a corrupt politician at a time when the major problem bedeviling the country is corruption!
According to a Presidential aide, Dr Doyin Okupe. He said the pardon was granted to Alamieyeseigha after he has shown "remorse". This has generated more questions than answers, this is the same Alameiyeseigha who still believes if he's younger, he wouldn't have pleaded guilty to the charges,as he would have fought on. This is the same man who has not in anywhere tendered an apology to the people of Bayelsa State and Nigerians at large for stealing their State funds and bringing National embarrassment respectively. It is so unfortunate that presently, we have no laid down guidelines or mandatory conditions precedent to the granting of a "Presidential Pardon". It is purely the discretion of Mr. President else, questions would have been flowing over the propriety of Alamieyeseigha for the said pardon.
Now to the issue of tackling corruption by the President Jonathan's administration, this singular action of Mr. President's institutionalizing corruption is enough prove that the President is neither interested nor committed to fighting the ugly scourge of corruption which is presently responsible for most of the challenges that face us as a people. It is crystal clear that Mr. President pays nothing but lip service to making our polity corruption-free. So far, unbelievable and mind boggling corruption cases have been alleged and unraveled under the very nose of Mr. President. These include but are not limited to the Malabu Scandal, the Police Pension Scam, the Fauroukgate and numerous Fuel Subsidy Frauds . Yet, the corruption-fighting administration of Mr. President failed to pro-actively respond to all these. In instances where the government does, such cases end up in a ridiculous plea bargain and out of court settlement or incredible jail terms for convicted felons which at the end of the day can probably lobby for a Presidential pardon from His Excellency.
In the light of the foregoing, it is suggested that a transparent guideline for the granting of presidential pardon should be put in place to ensure that this constitutional provision is no longer abused as it is currently being done. Perhaps in no distant time, one could safely forecast that the likes of Bode George would be granted presidential pardon to go and “sin no more”.
Follow me on twitter @olaniyiop
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was the Governor of Bayelsa State between May 29, 1999 and December 9, 2005. He became very popular when he was detained in September 2005 in London, over an allegation of Money Laundering by the Metropolitan Police. At the time of his arrest, the Police found about £1 million cash (N235million then) in his London house and they later found another £1.8 million (N423million then) in cash and bank accounts. Investigations revealed he has real estates in London allegedly worth about £10 million (N 2.35billion then). Alamaiyeseigha was also found to have numerous properties and business interests in the United States, Denmark, Seycelles, Cyprus, South Africa, Bahamas and the British Virgin Islands. He was later released on bail on stringent conditions but, Alamieyeseigha ignominiously jumped bail and escaped from London to Nigeria disguised as a woman.
Alameiyeseigha was impeached from Office as Governor on December 9, 2005 by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly following his escape back home from the UK. After his impeachment, corruption charges were brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On July 26, 2007, he pleaded guilty before the Court to a six count charge and was subsequently sentenced to two years imprisonment on each count, which were to run concurrently starting from the day of his arrest by the EFCC, his actual sentence was relatively short. Many of his assets were ordered to be forfeited to the Bayelsa State Government. On July 27, hours after he was taken to prison, he was released as a result of the completion of his prison sentence. Alamieyeseigha claimed he pleaded guilty due to his age, else he would have fought the charges had he been he was younger.
This is the story of a man His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces granted a "Presidential Pardon". Mr President may have acted within the powers bestowed on his office by the constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria as regards the granting of "Prerogative of Mercy" vis-a-vis the Council of State. The Council of State is established under Section 153 of the Nigerian Constitution, which provides as follows:
"The Council of State shall have the power to (a) advice the President in the exercise of his powers with regards to the (ii) Prerogative of Mercy"
Therefore, while the Council deliberate and advise, Mr President has a final decision.
Hence, granting a "Presidential pardon" by Mr President is no doubt legal, since it is provided for by the constitution. What however raised dust is the morality of granting pardon to a corrupt politician at a time when the major problem bedeviling the country is corruption!
According to a Presidential aide, Dr Doyin Okupe. He said the pardon was granted to Alamieyeseigha after he has shown "remorse". This has generated more questions than answers, this is the same Alameiyeseigha who still believes if he's younger, he wouldn't have pleaded guilty to the charges,as he would have fought on. This is the same man who has not in anywhere tendered an apology to the people of Bayelsa State and Nigerians at large for stealing their State funds and bringing National embarrassment respectively. It is so unfortunate that presently, we have no laid down guidelines or mandatory conditions precedent to the granting of a "Presidential Pardon". It is purely the discretion of Mr. President else, questions would have been flowing over the propriety of Alamieyeseigha for the said pardon.
Now to the issue of tackling corruption by the President Jonathan's administration, this singular action of Mr. President's institutionalizing corruption is enough prove that the President is neither interested nor committed to fighting the ugly scourge of corruption which is presently responsible for most of the challenges that face us as a people. It is crystal clear that Mr. President pays nothing but lip service to making our polity corruption-free. So far, unbelievable and mind boggling corruption cases have been alleged and unraveled under the very nose of Mr. President. These include but are not limited to the Malabu Scandal, the Police Pension Scam, the Fauroukgate and numerous Fuel Subsidy Frauds . Yet, the corruption-fighting administration of Mr. President failed to pro-actively respond to all these. In instances where the government does, such cases end up in a ridiculous plea bargain and out of court settlement or incredible jail terms for convicted felons which at the end of the day can probably lobby for a Presidential pardon from His Excellency.
In the light of the foregoing, it is suggested that a transparent guideline for the granting of presidential pardon should be put in place to ensure that this constitutional provision is no longer abused as it is currently being done. Perhaps in no distant time, one could safely forecast that the likes of Bode George would be granted presidential pardon to go and “sin no more”.
Follow me on twitter @olaniyiop
Very apt presentation indeed
ReplyDeleteThose in the Council of State Meeting should all hide their faces in shame over such a nonsense pardon. What will future generation say about us when they hear that such act was done in Nigeria yet we claim to fight corruption. Thanks for the piece.
ReplyDelete