By Patrick Obia
A legal practitioner, Barr. John Omligbe has written to the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Ben Ayade to invoke section 212 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), appealing for grant of prerogative of mercy to inmates in Afokang Prison.
The solicitor made the appeal in a written letter through his firm Innocent C. Ovat & Co. reminding the Governor that he had on 27th May, 2019, graciously granted clemency to 34 inmates in prison custody but 29 were actually released while 5 on death row were not released adding that unfortunately 1 out of the 5 died while 4 surviving pardoned inmates are presently in custody.
Barr. John Omligbe further bring to the notice of the Governor that, there are many inmates awaiting trials without Court dates or remand proceedings between 1-5 years awaiting trials which the Esquire describe as “incurably bad” disclosing that most of their files are been misplaced due to frequent change of Courts and transfer of Registrars of Courts without proper handover of files.
He pray the number one citizen in the State to use his unfettered power to grant prerogative of mercy to the inmates postulating he is the hope to the hopeless.
Letter in full:
