Community Kicks Against Pardon Of 11 Death Row Convicts  

Sequel to the pardon granted 11 convicts on death roll in  Niger State,  the people of Gaba  community in Lavun local government area of the state have kicked against the decision.

LEADERSHIP reported that the 11 convicts pardoned were from Amfani a neighbouring village of Gaba  in Lavun local government area of Niger State and they were convicted for allegedly killing seven people from Gaba in a communal clash.

Recently, the governor set up a committee to resolve issues of boundary disputes that often lead to bloodshed in the state and the disputes  between Gaba and Amfani was one of the notorious ones that claimed lives a few years back.

In the position of the community yesterday, through a petition written to the governor and a copy obtained by LEADERSHIP , the spokesman of Gaba Development Association, Isah Baba,  kicked against the pardon granted to the convicts.

The petition reads, “We, the people of  Gaba in Lavun local government, have decided to use this medium to air our grievances and not keep silent over the exercise of state pardon granted to convicted murderers of our kinsmen.

“Your Excellency, Farmer Governor, Umaru Bago, the murder of seven (7) innocent,  unarmed individuals from Gaba community whose corpses were severely mutilated and body parts carted away by the convicted murderers is considered to be the most heinous crime that ever happened in the history of NUPE people,” the letter added.

Baba recalled in the petition that, ” It took the intervention of community elders and well meaning Nigerlites to stop a retaliation from Gaba youths and allow justice to run its course through the legal process”.

He said those found guilty by the court were meant to face the full weight of justice, but  said  the step taken by the government was ill-advised.

The petition stated further that “Your Excellency, the powers of prerogative of mercy enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are intended to serve as a tool for justice and compensation in exceptional circumstances and not to be misused to undermine  the sanctity of the Judiciary.

“Granting pardon to the eleven persons convicted for the offence of murder devalues the lives of the victims, disrespects their families, and erodes public confidence.”

Baba therefore said the community was calling on the governor to reconsider the pardon and uphold the sanctity of the judicial process, and ensure that justice was not sacrificed on the altar of political convenience or vested interest.