Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has granted state pardon to a septuagenarian, Dickson Umukoro, and two other condemned inmates as part of activities to mark the nation’s 54th independence anniversary. The condemned 77-year-old Umukoro and other inmates breathed air of freedom weekend, pursuant to the governor’s power of prerogative, in line with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution.
Others released include 53-year-old Monday Tom and an unnamed adolescent, who were sentenced to death seven years ago. The governor also pardoned Dele Mokwunye, Ufuoma Paul Eto, Moses Orakpor, Uche Dike, Jonathan Igbi, Chukwuemeka Igwebuike, Chijioke Edeh, Augustine Okoroh and Joshua Musa, who were sentenced to various prison terms.
While Umukoro and Tom had their death sentence commuted to freedom on grounds of good conduct, Edeh, Okoroh and Musa had theirs commuted to life imprisonment. The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Ajuyah (SAN), lauded the governor’s gesture, saying it was a rare one from him.
He said: “The governor acted pursuant to his power of prerogative of mercy and in the spirit of the celebration of Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary.”