May 11, (THEWILL) – The Ebonyi State Government said it has approved the recommendation by the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy to grant pardon to 20 convicts in the state.
Briefing journalists after this week’s Executive Council meeting, held at the New Government House in Ochudo City, Abakaliki, Commissioner for Information, Barrister Uchenna Orji, said the application was granted on grounds that peace had been made between the families of the victims.
Orji, who also disclosed that the Exco received a report on the State Development Plan (2023 to 2047) presented by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) State2State, on areas of economic development, infrastructural development and social welfare, sustained environment, rural, housing and urban development, and governance plans from 2023 to 2047, also approved that the new retirement age for the teaching profession at sixty-five (65) years of age and length of service of forty (40) years, which so ever comes first be implemented in the State.
According to him, newly appointmented commissioners were sworn-in, Exco approved the request for approval to auction unserviceable vehicles, proposal for the payment of arrears of gratituty and pension and approval for the BESDA contractors to source funds and commence implementation of the post BESDA projects.
He said, “A report on the applications by certain members of the public requesting for a State Pardon for certain convicts in the State was presented to Exco by the Chairman of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Chief Barr Cletus Ofoke.
“Considerations were on grounds that peace had been made between the families of the victims and the convicts, ill health, where there was no case of premeditated intention and where there were possibilities of proper integration into the society upon manifest remorse.
“Exco noted the requests made and the considerations sought in the 28 applications made. Exco also noted the painstaking consultations made by the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and the discretional powers of the Governor under the Council of Mercy Law (Cap. 8) Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.
“And the imperative of section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and approved the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy that a total of 20 out of 28 applicants be granted a State pardon by the Governor of Ebonyi State
“A circular on the implementation of the harmonized retirement age and length of service in the teaching profession in Nigeria was read in Exco by the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Dr. Zyjl Nwangele. Exco noted the content of the circular and the fact that Education is in the Concurrent Legislative List of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Exco approved that the new retirement age for the teaching profession at sixty-five (65) years of age and length of service of forty (40) years which so ever comes first be implemented in the State. Exco further directed that the Ministry of Education should work out modalities and conditions for the implementation”, Orji stated.
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