Alamieyeseigha’s Pardon: Jonathan’s Contempt For Anti-Corruption Norms By Clement Nwankwo

DSP Alamieyeseigha
By Clement Nwankwo

Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) condemns the grant of Presidential pardon to ex-Bayelsa governor, D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha. While section 175(1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, gives the President unlimited powers to grant pardon to convicted persons, PLAC believes that this power must be exercised responsibly and in the national interest. In the immediate case of Alamieyeseigha, this power has been blatantly and arrogantly abused and raises serious questions about the President’s ability to govern in the larger Nigerian national interest.

The power of pardon appears to have been exercised for primordial and personal reasons by a President acting only to please a benefactor and kinsman whose actions as governor brought Nigeria into national and international ridicule and odium. The pardon rubbishes Nigeria’s international treaty and other obligations and its standing in the comity of Nations.

It should be noted that in addition to being convicted in Nigeria, Alamieyeseigha also has an international warrant of arrest issued by the UK authorities around the world for his arrest and extradition to face trial for charges that are still pending in the UK. In other words, Alamieyeseigha is an international fugitive from justice.  The Nigerian authorities needed to have taken into account that the case against Alamieyeseigha is an extra-territorial and internationalised issue exceeding just Nigeria’s legal territorial boundaries and cutting across the world.

The United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) imposes on Nigeria and the 165 state parties to it, a duty to cooperate and assist in apprehending and bringing to account all persons charged with corruption. The Convention further requires in Article 43 that domestic legal systems including Constitutions must be consistent with the international requirement of countries working together and assisting each other in the investigations of and proceedings in bringing to account all corrupt persons.

Nigeria is a part of the international community and has obligations to join the rest of the world to fight official corruption. As well, President Jonathan continues to mouth his government’s fight against corruption. The pardon of Alamieyeseigha is a major failing in this obligation.  It shows a lack of moral courage and indeed portrays this government as encouraging corruption. Most Nigerians are of the view that corruption levels in this government are unprecedented. Only a few months ago, an unprecedented publication by the Malaysian High Commissioner to Nigeria had accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of demanding bribes from a Malaysian investment project in Nigeria. This cross-border international allegation was never rebutted nor investigated at the Presidential level and this particular Minister continues to sit pretty in the Jonathan administration.

Other allegations too numerous to recite here including the oil subsidy scam report, by the National Assembly which businessmen friends of these administration tried to discredit, as well as massive looting of pension funds whose main perpetrator remains unapprehended continue to be a sore and rallying point for millions of critics who cite this government as unprecedentedly corrupt.

PLAC calls on President Jonathan to take the following immediate steps to address the anger of Nigerians over the high levels of corruption in Nigeria, sparked more recently by Alamieyeseigha’s pardon:

1.    Extradite Chief D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha to the UK to face pending charges of corruption in the UK courts in line with Nigeria’s international treaty obligations as he is a fugitive from justice;
2.    Implement National Assembly probe reports indicting his ministers and officials of government for corruption and abuse of office;
3.    Sack ministers and officials indicted and/or cited for various acts of corruption;
4.    Ensure that no public fund is expended in payment to Alamieyeseigha in consequence of the pardon issued;
5.    Implement practical steps to convince Nigerians and the international community that this administration is genuinely willing and able to tackle the multifarious levels of corruption in Nigeria.

Clement Nwankwo
Executive Director,
Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)
Abuja
 

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Gratitude . . .

Come to think of it this way. . .

If DSP had not stolen, he wouldn't have been indicted and subsequently impeached.

If DSP had not been indicted and impeached, GEJ wouldn't have been governor of Bayelsa state.

If GEJ were never a governor, he wouldn't have made it to the list of VP's contenders.

If GEJ was not a VP to 'Yar'adua, he certainly wouldn't have been our president now.

So, you see the link? So simple: I appreciate your criminality because that's what has ultimately made me what I am today and in return, I grant you Presidential pardon . . .

corruption

This pardon is the greatest mistake of Jonathan and his cohorts.It is a disgrace to any thing called decencency.May God help Nigeria.

promo! promo!! promo!!!

promo! promo!! promo!!!

Steal N billions from FG and any state's account and receive pardon. No jail term! Hurry now fellow Nigerians, D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha don win him own ooo!!! This promo is proudly Sponsored by: The presidency, FGN, NPF, EFCC, ICPC, PDP, Council of State, Nigerian Judiciary and many others.

Offer valid while stock last. Hurry now before the National Treasury is dried up.

A reply to Azibaola

You are a self centered Human Being and Uneducated Fool

The pardon is a nice move.

The pardon granted to Alamieyeseigha and others was not a one man decision been made by the President alone,The decision was made by the Council of States which is made up of the President,His vice, Fromer heads of states, the Senate President and His deputy, The speaker of the house and also His deputy were the once who took the decisions together. This is not the first time any head of state will be give any one a state pardon, it has been part of our history. I know the then Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon pardoned the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo,and also Alhaji Shehu Shagari recalled the late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu from exile,and released Mrs Helen Gomwalk and Capt.Peter Temlong from jail.

i pity my country

Since the presidency has taken it as a priority to pardon his "boss" a looter instead of fixing the national infrastructures that will support economic growth and by extension welfare of the populace,I suggest every criminal in Nigeria both convicted and at large should be pardoned,even the boko harams etc.
it is a shame.a hungry pick pocket is stoned to death in oshodi while pen robbers that bleed the nation dry receive state honours.boss my foot.from their fruits we shall know them. i have decamped from pdp party of thieves.

you support evil , evil will follow you

Since the presidency has taken it as a priority to pardon his "boss" a looter instead of fixing the national infrastructures that will support economic growth and by extension welfare of the populace,I suggest every criminal in Nigeria both convicted and at large should be pardoned,even the boko harams etc.
it is a shame.a hungry pick pocket is stoned to death in oshodi while pen robbers that bleed the nation dry receive state honours.boss my foot.from their fruits we shall know them. i have decamped from pdp party of thieves.

no selective pardon

Since the presidency has taken it as a priority to pardon his "boss" a looter instead of fixing the national infrastructures that will support economic growth and by extension welfare of the populace,I suggest every criminal in Nigeria both convicted and at large should be pardoned,even the boko harams etc.
it is a shame.a hungry pick pocket is stoned to death in oshodi while pen robbers that bleed the nation dry receive state honours.boss my foot.from their fruits we shall know them. i have decamped from pdp party of thieves.

@ EE Youngbo

You and your ilk just dont get it. maybe you're from Bayelsa and it is just fine with you that this guy alone robbbed the state blind. Take a good look at the list of what he deprived the people of the state. With people who think like you do, that country is doomed forever. Maybe Tinubu needs to be in jail, then by your warped logic if you can't apprehend every thief out there dont even bother. What is anybody doing in jail then, right?

Re PLAC

What actually did Alamieyeseigha do against Nigeria? OBJ wanted a third term and Alamieyeseigha became the stumbling block. Ask Ribadu who asked him to go to Heathrow to arrest Alams? who sent Bayo Ojo to London court and testify against Alamieyeseigha? The moneys they saw in Alams house in London have they sent it to us? Why is America the one crying and not Britain? Pls let us face other important matters. People who killed millions of nigerians were pardoned, what about those for sedition and coup ploters? As far as I know Alams case was a coup by OBJ and not a criminal issue. Otherwise the other day Ribadu said that Tinubu is the biggest thief in the world and you lawyers did not let any opportunity for Ribadu to do his work. What a shame!

Excellent statement

PLAC this is very forthright and straight to the point. As always you continue to unequivocally speak for the voiceless through your work. We are proud of your contributions to Nigeria's democracy. No doubt your antecedents and credibility remain. God bless you for Nigeria

This statement conveys the

This statement conveys the feelings of millions of Nigerians. Jonathan does not realize that he is not the president of Otuoke which is why he cannot think or act objectively. It is a shame and embarrassment to Nigerians to have this sort of person as president. Sadly he even thinks he is entitled to be president for a second term. My thinking is that he has no plans to allow for freely conducted elections in 2015. Nigerians should be ready for a major battle against his rigging plan

@ Azibaola aka Deri : Clown, Dr. Dumbo is a Bombing Failure !!!

Your irritationg multi-posts using spurious names is why SR try to sanction frivolous clowns like your stupid self. The pardon of Alams is wrong and you can argue from Otuoke to Otukpo, that will still not alter the truth. Go tell your fallacy to the Americans and the International community. Thieves like Alams, Dumbo, Anenih, and in fact, all the crooks from the creeks should be gathered and deported to the plantations of Papua New Gunea. That's where Lord Lugard discovered them, cross-bred them with chimpanzees and landed with the animals on our shores. Your reasoning is proof you're still evolving into humans. Idiot. Get a life!

GEJ, A FAILED PRESIDENT

GEJ has proved time and time again, that he is a tribalist and not capable of running nor managing a local government council talk less of being a president of a country like Nigeria. He has since he took leadership of the country proved that he has nothing good to offer the country. What on earth could have possessed the man to have pulled this act of pardoning Alams, I will tell you why, because so far he and his fellow looters of the treasury have gotten away with their dastardly act of stealing with inpunity, Otedola/Lawan, 4billion first ladies mission house, Patience/Perm Sec Scandal,Petroleum Minister, the least is endless, GEJ is of the opinion that Nigerians have put up with all this shinanigans and nothing happens.

Gej/Patience his wife are a disgrace period, not fit to rule

KILLING CORRUPTION - 2

SUGGESTED SOLUTION:
“The best way to wipe out corruption is to make it punishable by death. Capital punishment, no more, no less. This law has to be established first, after this the inquiries about the stupendous wealth of the generals, past heads of state, governors, legislators, ministers, commissioners of police, local government chairman, etc., would begin. If they cannot explain the sources of their riches, they have no reason to live. They should be tied to the stake. They’re not better than armed robbers. If we cannot do this, then the cankerworm that is corruption will wipe out Nigeria”. – By Logunleko Imodoye

KILLING CORRUPTION

CULLED FROM:
NIGERIA’S (UNHOLY) WEDLOCK WITH CORRUPTION: CAN DEATH PUT THEM
ASUNDER? BY PROF FEMI ADEGBULU
EFFECT OF CORRUPTION ON NIGERIAN SOCIETY:
It is germane here to itemize some of the identifiable effects of this national malaise on the over-all development of the country, after which the way out of it shall be proffered:
1.) Corruption destroys the socio-economic life of the society generally;
2.) It makes economic planning difficult if not impossible;
3.) It creates political instability and undermines the integrity of the state;
4.) It concentrates wealth in the hands of a few corrupt individuals;
5.) It promotes inefficiency, incompetence and breeds nepotism and unhealthy rivalry in government administration;
6.) It stunts growth and development;
7.) It promotes widespread poverty and large-scale unemployment;

the animal must be caged and returned to Otuoke zoo !

Deranged Deri, the author of this article is also a SAN, same level as Prof. Itse Sagay you keep quoting although no one has seen the news where Prof. Itse Sagay made those comments. May I remind you that the same Prof. Itse Sagay condemened the illegal sack of Justice Salami but you chose not to quote him then.

Whether you like it or not, the chimpanzee cross-breed Jonathan must be caged and returned to Otuoke zoo in 2015. The moron is now looking for money to rig elections in 2015 hence he's planning to increase fuel pump price again; that will be his death kernel !

Methinks the individual who

Methinks the individual who coined the phrase a (clear conscience fears no accusation) may have had Clement Nwankwo in mind when he gave birth to the axiom! I have always told some of this pick and pay WRITERS that-they saw late Chief Gani- an anti corruption crusader of note-b4 dey decided to go for Obj-The man we voted for was Abiola and not OBJ. Yet they traded not only Abiola for OBJ, but Gani as well! What in the name of Awo is this writer talking about here? Its only an insane 9ja who does not wish us d SS well-in spite of our 55 trillion Naira that they stole from us since 1959, that would act like an agent of Buhari by questioning GEJ over the pardon granted Alams! The only governor 2 be tried for corruption in 9ja! Pardons are not granted to Angels-or goats-They are granted 2 un-convict convicts mumu!Frankling Roosevelt pardoned 3,687 criminals, Woodrow Wilson-2,480 murderers and rogues! I begi make we hear better word-shameless regional harlots

Beyond pardon: The Alams saga

Is it possible that a scenario such as the one below may have led to this unfortunate imbroglio:

Alams: Bros me, I dont care what they now call you now, but last time I checked, you were my Deputy G and we broke bread. Now, go and arrange an unconditional pardon sharp, sharp for me before I go public on the size of loot you yourself got and are keeping. I've carried the can for both of us too long.
Could all this have arisen from some less~than~subtle attempt to blackmail the Oga at the Top?

Nwakwo Ibos were also killed in this attack by boko haram-

IT was a tale of pains and anguish as survivors of the Monday bomb attack on luxury buses in Kano recounted their experiences. Narrating his experience, Yisau Ibrahim, a bus conductor at the motor park, who was wreathing in pains on his hospital bed, said, “I have lost my nose, I also have a deep gorge in my stomach. I am now placed on drips. I am in severe pains. I may die any moment from now, only God will avenge what these people have done to me, I will never forgive them.” Not done, Ibrahim rained curses on the attackers, saying, “the people responsible for my ordeal would never know peace. I did not commit any offence. If I had offended them, I would have apologised to them.”

Jonathan Did not Do Any Wrong- Its Not The First in Nigeria

Nwankwo, is your former president Obasanjo not an ex-convict? Where was PLAC? Why did PLAC not complain about his election into office? Is he not same man who sent Alams to prison in a classic case of witch hunt for complaining about abuses in the Niger Delta? Why did PLAC not complain about the others who did same as Alams? Was Shagari not meant to be in prison as the head of a government of "Thieves" with Ekweme when Buhari took over but left him in an Ikoyi Luxury apartment? Did PLAC complain about Buhari's candidacy for presidency? Tell me about Akilu? Is he not same person many requested pardon for who now condemn Jonathan? You are all hypocrites. If pardon is not to be used why grant the powers to use it to the president? Or did those who put it in the constitution not know that it was meant to set free a man who has done wrong. By the way, Alams has done his time so go look for better publicity? Obama can stay at home. America is afterall the most corrupt nation in the world.

Non is Holy in the Land...not one

National economic stability especially as regards increasing/sustaining Nigeria daily oil production output is of greater importance to national stability than the sanctum of Anti-Corruption perception. Most of those calling for the head of President Goodluck Jonathan for offering ex-Bayelsa governor, D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha pardon can themselves not give account of the wealth they display in public that is far beyond their income level. How can the Kettle call the pot black...Nigeria I Hail Oh.

they crucify the governor general of the Izons-civil war crimes

Obama last granted pardons in November 2011, weeks before the Post published a series of stories that found that between 2001 and 2008, WHITE applicants were nearly four times as likely to be pardoned as black minorities and Latinos.Black applicants fared the worst, almost never receiving the pardons office's recommendation like their counterparts from the SS. So they must write to vilify Alams for Buhari-Which oil Minister apart from David West, went to jail? How did Rilwanu Lukman acquire his oil blocks in Akwa Ibom state-Danjuma got his from Abacha. But when Abacha dashed an block to Etete all hell was let loose-those who think the average ijaw man has no right to the oil blocks went after Etete the same way they pushed abacha to hang kensarowiwa-because of the civil war-what are the standards for granting pardons around the globe that GEJ breached? Then tell us-d standards set for the impeachment of governors in 9ja or just bass off with your civil war sentiments!

The thoughts of an Ibo man in self exile-what wait d SS 4

Obama last granted pardons in November 2011, weeks before the Post published a series of stories that found that between 2001 and 2008, WHITE applicants were nearly four times as likely to be pardoned as black minorities and Latinos.Black applicants fared the worst, almost never receiving the pardons office's recommendation like their counterparts from the SS. So they must write to vilify Alams for Buharis-Which oil Minister apart from David West, went to jail? How did Rilwanu Lukman acquire his oil blocks in Akwa Ibom state-Danjuma got his from Abacha. But when Abacha dashed an block to Etete all hell was let loose-those who think the average ijaw man has no right to the oil blocks went after Etete the same way they pushed abacha to hang kensarowiwa-because of the civil war-what are the standards for granting pardons around the globe that GEJ breached? Then tell us-d standards set for the impeachment of governors in 9ja or just bass off!

THERE IS NONE HOLY IN THE LAND ....NOT ONE

National economic stability especially as regards increasing/sustaining Nigeria daily oil production output is of greater importance to national stability than the sanctum of Anti-Corruption perception. Most of those calling for the head of President Goodluck Jonathan for offering ex-Bayelsa governor, D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha pardon can themselves not give account of the wealth they display in public that is far beyond their income level. How can the Kettle call the pot black...Nigeria I Hail Oh.

WASTE OF TIME ADVISING DUMBO

A complete waste of precious time and effort advising Dr Dumbo, aka, GEJ, to the extent of making recommendations. Nigerians should be ready to send this FOOL back to the creeks in poverty stricken Ijaw land from where he came. It is indeed a tragedy of monumental proportions that these thieves and their sycophants are calling the shots in a great country like Nigeria. the struggle has just started and believe you me, from 2015, it will be GEJ that will be looking for pardon after he has been removed from the Presidency and tried by a Special Anti-Corruption Tribunal. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the Otueke born idiot is hounded in jail on or before May 30, 2015.

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