The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has granted amnesty to 25 Nigerians serving different jail terms in the state as part of the activities marking the 55th Independence Anniversary celebration in the country.
Announcing this at the high ceremonies marking the event at the Alex Ekwueme Square Awka, Governor Obiano enthused that at 55, there was so much for Nigerians to be thankful for despite the numerous challenges that are currently weighing the country down.
“Fifty five years is a milestone in the life cycle of nations. It is even more so in Africa and other developing of the world where the very idea of nationhood is perpetually on trial. We must all be thankful to Almighty God for his special love and infinite grace to Nigeria, Governor Obiano enthused, pointing out that if Anambra could wade through the thorny path of its recent history to its present state of security and stability, there is hope for Nigeria.
“It is along this line that I have decided to give hope to the hopeless amongst us by exercising my prerogative of mercy and granting amnesty to 25 prisoners serving different terms in the three prisons in Anambra State,” the governor declared, offering a new lease of life to 25 prisoners, five of whom were from Awka Prison, six from Aguata Prison and fourteen from Onitsha Prison respectively.
Among the prisoners that were granted amnesty, 22 were freed while 3 that were serving life sentences were commuted to 21 years and one Echezona Omekanne who was awaiting the hangman’s noose had his sentence commuted to 21 years.
Among the freed convicts are Faith Nweke who had been serving her term with her baby, Pascal Okoli, Ignatius Ohams and Kanayo Arinze who urgently need medical attention.
The granting of amnesty to the prisoners followed a recommendation made to Governor Obiano by the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, prompting the governor to exercise the powers conferred on him by section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution
