Tinubu: Why Mamman Vatsa, Herbert Macaulay, others were forgiven their 'Sins'

By emmanuel MALAGU

President Bola Tinubu has granted a Posthumous Pardon to Late Mamman Vatsa, executed for Treason in 1986 under the Military Regime of Ibrahim Babangida.

This was announced in a Statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday, following a National Council of State Meeting in Abuja.

‎Vatsa, a Soldier-Poet, was among 17 Individuals granted Presidential Pardons, as endorsed by the Council.
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‎The President also granted a Posthumous Pardon to Herbert Macaulay, Pioneer Nationalist and Co-Founder of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC).

Macaulay, NCNC’s first President, played a Critical Role in Nigeria’s Independence Movement. He was controversially convicted by British Authorities in 1913.

‎‎Though Macaulay died in 1946, the Colonial-Era conviction remained on Record until now.

‎‎Tinubu also pardoned four former Convicts, including former House of Representatives Member, Farouk Lawan, Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia, Hussaini Umar and Ayinla Alanamu.
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‎‎Their Pardons were granted to support their reintegration, following demonstrations of remorse and good conduct.
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‎Nweke Francis Chibueze, serving a Life Term for Cocaine Trafficking, also received a Pardon.
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‎Nwogu Peters, jailed 17 years for fraud and having served 12, was likewise pardoned.
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‎The late Ogoni Nine; Ken Saro-Wiwa, Saturday Dobee, Nordu Eawo, Daniel Gbooko, Paul Levera, Felix Nuate, Baribor Bera, Barinem Kiobel, and John Kpuine were formally pardoned.
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‎Tinubu further honoured the Ogoni Four; Albert Badey, Edward Kobani, Samuel Orage, and Theophilus Orage with Posthumous National Awards.

‎In a sweeping exercise of Constitutional Powers, Tinubu granted clemency to 82 Inmates and reduced Sentences for 65 others.
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‎Seven Inmates on Death Row had their Sentences commuted to Life Imprisonment.
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‎The Clemency Decisions were based on Recommendations from the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (PACPM).
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‎PACPM comprises 12 Members, chaired by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
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‎Other Members include Akinlolu Olujinmi, Alkasum Abba, Nike Sidikat Ijaiya, Augustine Utsaha, and Onwusoro Maduka (Secretary).
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‎Institutional Members include Representatives of the Police, Nigerian Correctional Service, NHRC, NSCIA, CAN, and Ministry of Special Duties.
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‎The Committee submitted its Final Report to the Council of State on Thursday, in line with Constitutional Procedures.
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Onanuga said, ‎“A total of 175 Inmates were interviewed, and 62 Applications were received on behalf of 119 inmates considered by the Committee, making it a total of 294.”
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‎“One hundred and sixty of the Inmates interviewed were Male, while 15 were Female.

“Eighty-two Inmates were recommended for Clemency; two for Pardon; 65 for Sentence Reduction; and seven Death Sentences commuted.
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‎“Fifteen Ex-Convicts were recommended for Presidential Pardon, 11 of whom are Deceased (including the Ogoni 9). The Ogoni Four were also recommended for Posthumous National Honours.”
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‎“On the whole, a total of one hundred and seventy-five (175) Beneficiaries are recommended.”
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‎The Committee applied strict Criteria including Age (60+), Terminal Illness, Youth (Under 16), and Good Behaviour during Incarceration.
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He added, ‎“Those who have been in Custodial Centres, learnt Sustainable Vocational Trades capable of keeping them away from Crime; those who are adjudged remorseful; those who Correctional Officers recommended for exemplary behaviour and Nigerian Prisoners deported from other Countries.”
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‎Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, inaugurated the PACPM on January 15 to enhance Justice, Rehabilitation, and Human Rights in Nigeria.

Credit NAN: Texts excluding Headline