Wednesday, October 4, 2023
The Quest Times
  • Home
  • News
    • Headlines
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
    • Education
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • 2023 Elections
  • Home
  • News
    • Headlines
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
    • Education
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • 2023 Elections
No Result
View All Result
The Quest Times
No Result
View All Result

Buhari goofed by granting pardon to Dariye, Nyame, says Ozekhome

byMidat Joseph
16 April, 2022
in Featured News, News
Reading Time: 5 mins read
A A
Buhari goofed by granting pardon to Dariye, Nyame, says Ozekhome
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Whatsapp

Constitutional lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, has questioned the legality of the state pardon granted the duo of former governors of Plateau and Taraba States, Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame respectively.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari erred in law by granting the pardon, which has been heavily criticized by Nigerians.

Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Exclusive Stories, News Reports, and Engaging Content. {Click Here}

Nyame is serving a 12-year jail sentence for diverting N1.64billion during his tenure as governor of Taraba, while Dariye is serving 10 years imprisonment for N1.126billion fraud.

RelatedPosts

Empowered Newswire Exclusive: Unable To Raise Funds Independently, AFREXIM Shops For $3bn To Fufill Agreement With NNPC

Empowered Newswire Exclusive: Unable To Raise Funds Independently, AFREXIM Shops For $3bn To Fufill Agreement With NNPC

03 Oct, 2023
Tunde Bakare Tinubu

Ministerial List: President Tinubu Nominates El-Rufai Replacement, Submits Fresh List To Senate

03 Oct, 2023


The former governors were among 159 inmates pardoned at a council of state meeting on Thursday, April 14, 2022.


They were granted pardons on the grounds of age and ill-health.

Ozekhome faulted the decision of the council in a statement issued on Saturday, noting that the president acted beyond his constitutional powers.

The senior lawyer said since the offences were committed against states, it lies in the hands of the state governors to grant them pardon.

“The offences under which they were tried and convicted fall under state laws which took place after the promulgation of the 1999 constitution during which time they were governors,” he said.

“Specifically, they were tried and convicted under sections 115,119 and 309 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, LFN, 1990, obviously an existing State law within the meaning, import and true purport of sections 315(1)(b) and 318 of the 1999 Constitution.

“It becomes clear therefore that only the governors of Plateau and Taraba states could have legally and rightly granted pardon to Dariye and Nyame, invoking section 212 of the Constitution and not Mr. President under section 175 of the Constitution.

“The act of granting amnesty or pardon though discretionary, this discretion must be exercised judiciously and in the best interest of the country, so as not to create doubts in and dampen the confidence of the citizenry in the national moral fabric, and in the fight against corruption.”

ALSO READ: ‘Fake gossip’, Amina Muaddi breaks silence on dating Rihanna’s boyfriend, ASAP Rocky

Ozekhome added that “the purpose of criminal prosecution is to secure justice, not only for the accused but also for the victims of crimes and the state; and to some extent get reparation and restitution for the victims while deterring others from going the same route.

“Where lies the justice for the impoverished people of Plateau and Taraba States who will now watch their tormentors stroll out with red carpet treatment?

“The government budgets huge sums of money for the prosecution of such accused persons from the tax players’ sweat; and if after the rigorous period of trial and subsequent conviction, the guilty are simply let off the hook in such a brazen manner, the little remaining lean hope the citizens have in the system is further diminished.

“I dare say that in these two instances, both the President and the Council of State goofed and abused their undoubted constitutional powers and privileges.

“A constitutional issue as volatile as this could have been better managed if the minders of the president had told him the embarrassment this could cause the government in the estimation of the comity of nations. And it is doing just that.

“Granted that the constitution gives the President and the Governors the power of prerogative to pardon criminals in deserving circumstances, must it be done in the vulgar way and manner the instant case was handled?

“In fairness to the president, not all the 159 convicts and ex-convicts granted presidential pardon are politicians. But, the most prominent of them are the two former governors.

“That is what has led to the national ruckus, bedlam and hoopla. This is because it could be argued (and rightly too), that the main essence of the last meeting of the council of state was to give an imprimatur to, and grant pardon to the two political heavyweights, while making up the number with some insignificant lightweight ones, using garnished veneer and sleight of hand.

“The president by so doing has certainly violated the provisions of the Constitution and his oaths of office and allegiance to defend the constitution.

“This recent pardon, in my humble view, is the worst way to fight corruption. It will further water, nurture and elevate corruption to a fundamental objective.”

Tags: Buhari goofedJolly NyameJoshua DariyeMuhammadu BuhariPardonState Pardon
ShareTweetShareSend
Previous Post

‘Fake gossip’, Amina Muaddi breaks silence on dating Rihanna’s boyfriend, ASAP Rocky

Next Post

Man dies after catching girlfriend suck!ng another guy’s ‘gbola’

Next Post
Mu’azu Garba

Man dies after catching girlfriend suck!ng another guy's 'gbola'

Tinubu 2023

2023: I promise you violent-free Nigeria if elected president, Tinubu woos Nigerians

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
The Quest Times On WhatsApp The Quest Times On WhatsApp The Quest Times On WhatsApp

Recent News

See How Fans, Celebrities Reacted To Naira Marley’s Proposed Return To Nigeria

Mohbad: Lagos Police Confirms Naira Marley In Custody, Undergoing Interrogation

3 October, 2023
Mohbad’s Father Stirs Controversy, Joins Calls For DNA Test For Grandson Liam

Mohbad’s Father Stirs Controversy, Joins Calls For DNA Test For Grandson Liam

3 October, 2023
Senate approves Buhari ministerial nominees

Senate Deals Blow To First-Term Senators, Creates Nine New Committees 

3 October, 2023
The Quest Times on Telegram The Quest Times on Telegram The Quest Times on Telegram

Trending News

  • Anger As Driver Struggling With LASTMA Official Rams Into ‘Keke’, Killing Rider, Pregnant Woman, Her Two Children

    Anger As Driver Struggling With LASTMA Official Rams Into ‘Keke’, Killing Rider, Pregnant Woman, Her Two Children

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • BREAKING: Chicago University Releases Tinubu Educational Records (See Photos)

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Senate Deals Blow To First-Term Senators, Creates Nine New Committees 

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Top Breaking News In Nigeria This Morning (3/10/2023)

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • ‘Africans Are Attracted To Thieves’, Prof Lumumba Speaks On Why Africa Is Struggling With Leadership

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Connect with us

  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact

© 2021-2023 The Quest Times - The pursuit of a prosperous and just society.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Video

© 2021-2023 The Quest Times - The pursuit of a prosperous and just society.

wpDiscuz
0
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x