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Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State, has exercised his prerogative of mercy by granting parole to eight inmates from various Correctional Centres across the state. This act of clemency, which reflects the governor’s commitment to justice and rehabilitation, marks a significant gesture in the administration’s approach to reforming the state’s correctional system.
In a statement released on New Year’s Day 2025, Mr. Uche Anichukwu, the media aide to Governor Peter Mbah, disclosed that the decision regarding parole was communicated in writing to the Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, Mr. Nichlas Obiako. The letter, signed by Barr. Victor Udeh, the Governor’s Chief of Staff, was dated December 31, 2024.
“His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State in the exercise of his power (Prerogative of Mercy) under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and in consultation with the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Enugu State, has granted various forms of Prerogative of Mercy as presented below to the following convicts (of State offences) in the Correctional Centres in Enugu State,” the letter reads in part.
A closer look at the reprieves granted by Governor Mbah shows that eight individuals, having already served significant parts of their sentences for various offenses, were approved for release under a one-year parole arrangement. In a similar vein, another offender, who had served part of a five-year sentence for contempt of court and had purged himself of the offense, was also granted a pardon, subject to a one-year parole.
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The decision was also subject to reports of proven reform in character, ability to reintegrate with the society having possessed or learnt some productive skills, and following recommendation by the Correctional Services and the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and whose membership comprises representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), and the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), among other reputable justice sector institutions.
Meanwhile, Section 212 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides, “The Governor may (a) Grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence created by any law of a state a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions; (b) grant to any person a respite, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence; (c) substitute a less severe form of punishment for any person for such an offence; or (d) remit the whole or any part of punishment for any punishment imposed on that person for such any offence or of any penalty forfeiture otherwise due to the state on account of such an offence.”
Section 212 (2), however, provides that the powers of the governor under subsection (1) shall be exercised after consultation with an advisory council of the state on the prerogative of mercy as may be established by law of the state.
