Former Chief of General Staff, Oladipo Diya and Former Chief of Staff Supreme Military Council, and the late senior brother of the late President Umaru Musa Yar,Adua, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua have been granted a State Pardon by the National Council of State,
Also pardoned were ex-Major Bello Magaji NA/6604, Mohammed Lima Biu, Shettima Bulama, Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, Major Geeneral Abdulkareem Adisa (Post Humous) and Major Segun Fadipe.
The Council of State comprising the President, Vice President, all state governors, former Presidents, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Senate President and Speaker, amongst others, unanimously approved the list of those pardoned at their meeting yesterday.
The Council of State meeting however was not without its drama as another list which had names of hose awaiting trial was smuggled in for discussion.
The Council however rejected the list and asked that it be sent back to the duo of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Minister of the Interior.
Sources at the meeting said that the unjust trial and conviction of Diya and Yar’adua was the basis of their pardon while Alamieyeseigha was let off the hook following his remorse and his efforts to bring about Peace in the Niger Delta.
Lt General Diya and others were convicted by late General Sani Abacha administration after their alleged involvement in a coup plot.
Apart from serving out his sentence he has devoted his life to travelling amongst Niger Delta communities facilitating the peace.
Meanwhile anti-corruption Campaigner and legal activist, Festus Keyamo has condemned the state pardon granted ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha and ex-Banker Shettima Bulama
Keyamo said the pardon granted to convicted Ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreiye Alamieyeseigha and convicted Ex-Banker
Shettima Bulama, purportedly on the advice of the Council of State typifies the height of insensitivity of this government to the feelings of Nigerians about the war against corruption.
“It is shocking, confusing and disheartening that at a time when the general mood of the country indicates that the war against corruption is insincere, slow and a sham, the President deems it fit to even rubbish the very little work that has been done by the anti-corruption agencies in securing the conviction of these individuals.”
“It is also disturbing that at a time when Nigeria is still ranking very low in the Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International the President has further damaged the image of the country by this singular act.
This pardon by the President teaches no bitter lesson to thieving and corrupt public officers. It encourages corruption at the highest and the lowest levels of public office and the decision itself is corruption per excellence.
I condemn it; I condemn it and I condemn it, he stated..
