The Delta State Governor, His. Excellency, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan CON has approved the grant of total pardon to 3 prison inmates on death row including a 77 years old man in the exercise of his powers of prerogative of mercy under section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
A statement released by the Office of the Honorable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah, SAN, states that the Governor acted pursuant to his power of prerogative of mercy and in the spirit of the celebration of Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary. Those who are to benefit are:
(1) Dickson Umukoro, a 77 years old man convicted on the offence of murder in 2007 but later had his sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 2010. He was granted pardon and ordered to be released on the grounds of age, health challenge and good conduct in Prison. (2) Monday Tom, age 53 who was convicted for the offence of murder and sentenced to death on the 19th of October, 2005. He is pardoned and to be released on the grounds of health challenge, and having spent over 17 years in jail with good conduct and (3) XX (a young person whose true name is withheld by reason of his age) who was detained by order of court in 2009 at the please of His Excellency, as he was then under 17 years of age when the offence was committed. The Prison Authorities have been advised appropriately in the Warrant of pardon signed by His Excellency.
The others who benefited from His Excellency exercise of Prerogative of Mercy are Dele Mokwunye, Ufuoma Paul Eto and Moses Orakpor whose sentences were commuted to 15 years each while Uche Dike, Jonathan Igbi and Chukwuemeka Igwebuike sentences were commuted to 10 years each.
According to the statement, 3 other inmates; Chijioke Edeh, Augustine Okoroh and Joshua Musa had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.
