Okupe urges acceptance of pardon for Alamieyeseigha, others

President Goodluck Jonathan’s public affairs spokesman Doyin Okupe has called on Nigerians to respect the pardon granted former governor of Bayelsa state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached from office in 2005 and convicted for money laundering in 2007.

Okupe in an interview on Channels TV today said Nigerians should accept the decision because it was taken “by the topmost echelon of leadership in this country”, even if it was unpopular.

“It may not be palatable to everybody. It may not be acceptable to everybody, but that is the leadership of the country and that is what they have done,” he said in the interview with the private Channels television station.

Okupe said the pardon granted Alamieyeisegha did not demean the fight against corruption.

“What is wrong in granting pardon to a remorseful sinner? It does not demean the war against corruption” Okupe who argued that the former governor was removed from office and duly punished for the corrupt practices he engaged in while in office said.

Okupe said Nigerians should learn to respect constituted authority.

“I just told you that the National Council of State was made up of the President, all former heads of state, all former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, all state governors and if in their judgment, they have taken a decision, it may not be palatable to everybody, but that is what they have done… do you doubt the integrity of these men?”, the Senior Special Assistant to the President queried.

PM NEWS can however confirm that only three former head of government, General Yakubu Gowon (retired) Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Chief Ernest Shonekan were present at Tuesday’s meeting. Conspicuously absent were four former heads of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari and Abdusalami Abubakar.

The meeting which was presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan was also attended by Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Senate President, David Mark, Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke. Also present were former Justices Idris Kutigi, Alfa Belgore and Dahiru Musdapher. Governors present were Godswil Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Peter Obi (Anambra); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Babangida Aliyu (Niger); Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto); Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara.

Apart from the former Bayelsa State governor, another ex-convict, Shettima Bulama who was jailed after investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission indicted him of embezzlement of depositors’ funds was also granted state pardon.

Also granted state pardon were some of those convicted for coup plotting by the Sani Abacha administration in 1995and 1997.

Leading the pack is former Chief of General Staff, Major General Oladipo Diya (rtd) and Former Chief of Staff Supreme Military Council, the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua (Post Humous), ex-Major Bello Magaji NA/6604, Mohammed Lima Biu, Major General Abdulkareem Adisa (Post Humous) and former Major Segun Fadipe.

But the most criticised was the pardon given to Alamieyeseigha, Jonathan’s predecessor as governor of Bayelsa state.

Alamieyeseigha had admitted to embezzling millions of dollars of public funds while serving as governor of the oil-rich state. He also admitted spending state funds to build himself private mansions as governor.

Alamieyeseigha was arrested in Britain for having laundered $3million. After being granted bail, he miraculously escaped from the country. There were reports that he disguised as a woman to escape the prying eyes of security men.

He was re-arrested in Nigeria with the immunity he has enjoyed as Governor removed, with his impeachment.

He was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), led then by Nuhu Ribadu.

The former Governor pleaded guilty to six counts charge of making false declaration of assets before Justice Mohammed Shuaibu of Federal High Court, Lagos in a plea bargain arrangement in July 2007.

He was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment and ordered to forfeit some assets, including N1 billion shares to the Federal Government.

He was however released from custody days later after a court ruled that his time served amounted to sufficient punishment.

Alamieyeseigha’s presidential pardon carries several benefits, including having a clean criminal record and the ability to run for office again.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and top oil producer, is seen as one of the world’s most graft-ridden nations, where powerful leaders implicated in massive corruption scandals often evade severe punishment.

The former governor of oil-producing Delta state, James Ibori, is currently serving a 13-year sentence in Britain after being convicted of fraud amounting to $70 million.

According to the ethnic Yoruba political movement, Afenifere, the move by Jonathan was the final confirmation that “we have an immoral leadership at the helm of affairs of the country.”

Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin said, “Nigeria is now seen as a crooked nation. In the last 14 years, people, corrupt people are being pardoned; it is a violation of our values and downgrading of our moral ethics.”

Lawyer Bamidele Aturu, in a statement said, “Presidential pardon to those who were convicted, not of political offences but for dipping their dirty fingers in the common till, and pauperising hardworking Nigerians in the process is nothing but jail break by the state.”

“The government and its members will certainly live to regret the irresponsible decision. That is a promise. Civil society groups will do all in its power to show the whole world that those who claim to govern us are nothing but common crooks who deserve to be in jail.

.with additional reports by Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja