Three prisoners on death roll in Delta State were on Wednesday set free.
Nine other prisoners had their death sentences trimmed down to various grades of imprisonment, ranging from 10 years to 15 years and even life imprisonment.
This was thanks to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, who exercised the power conferred on him in Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) on the occasion of Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary celebration.
The governor, who spoke in Asaba during the celebration, said: “The pardon became necessary following the recommendations by the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
“I have granted pardon to three prisoners that were sentenced to death.
“I have granted them total pardon following the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
“Also the death sentences of nine others, following the recommendations of the same council, I have also committed the death sentences to various terms of imprisonment ranging from 10 years to 15 years and life imprisonment.”
Uduaghan however explained that his hands were tied in respect of a particular case of a 24-year-old who was recently sentenced to death following an appeal filed by the relatives of the convict.
“Once there is an appeal, we cannot do anything about pardon because the Supreme Court frowns at it.
“By appealing, it simply means the people have not agreed that the boy has been convicted.
“The only way we can proceed is for the appeal to be withdrawn.
“So I am publicly telling the whole world the stage that we are.
“It is not because the governor is not aware of the appeals for his release but the governor’s hands are tied because the case in the appeal court.
“If the people are able to withdraw the case, we will look at it and do something about it.”
On the nation’s 54th independent anniversary, Uduaghan appealed to those behind the present insurgency in parts of the country to cease fire, adding: “Enough is enough.”
The Governor appealed to Nigerians to give President Goodluck Jonathan their support in his transformation agenda even as he urged Nigerians to pray against terrorism.