Governor Okowa of Delta State

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has commuted 30 convicts on death row to life imprisonment, in the spirit of the Easter celebration.

This is even as he granted​ total pardon to five inmates who were serving various terms of imprisonment.

Those released​ were; Livinus Ugwu (M) who was sentenced to 20 years, Enebeli Dike (M), a condemned convict, Orji Pascal (M), serving a 10 year jail term, Moses Agedah who was also on death row and Martins Ishiekwene, a prisoner sentenced to death on the 30th of November, 1998.

The 30 inmates whose sentences were commuted by the Governor were all death row inmates, sentenced to death by hanging.

A statement released from the Office of the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor, said the action was an exercise his prerogative of mercy, under section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

It stated that the Governor acted pursuant to powers vested on him in exercise of his powers of prerogative of mercy and also in consideration of the several international and local pleas including those from Amnesty
international.

Mrakpor explained that the Governor acted in accordance with his constitutional powers based on the recommendations of the Seven-Man Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy headed by Chief Patrick Okpakpor that was inaugurated by the Governor on 30th March, 2017.

According to the statement, the Governor approved the grant of full pardon to the following inmates and ordered their immediate release.

The statement further stated that Governor Okowa’s administration was irrevocably committed to better the lives of the people including prisoners as the government has come out with various rehabilitation programmes through skill acquisitions, trainings and other empowerment programmes geared towards their reintegration back into the society.