To mark New Year’s Day in Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu has granted an unconditional pardon to 45 convicts who committed minor offences.
The governor granted the approval to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Ededem Ani on New Year’s Day.
In a statement signed by his Chief press secretary, Gill Nsa, the governor said that the approval was an exercise of his prerogative of mercy as the Cross River State Governor, pursuant to Section 212 (1) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Amended).
According to the statement, the pardoned inmates were convicted of various offences ranging from felony, stealing, breaking and entering, assault, threats to life, cultism, armed robbery, illegal entry, logging and unlawful possession, conspiracy, assault and threatening violence, and malicious damage, among a few others.
Governor Otu explained that it is important to give a second chance to those pardoned and considered reformed, as well as the need to decongest the prison.
The statement gave the names of those granted pardon to include Yahaya Suleman, Odey David, Jeremiah William Etim, Ubong Sunday Francis, Michael Gbenga, Randy Bassey Etu, Ivara Odum, John Ambrose Adecon, Gabriel Eke, Ukeme Godwin Benson, Godwill Delphin Mbey,
Others include Monday Ndem, Abraham Elijah, Kelvin Ogbonna, Terlumum Giki, Etim Edet Effiong, Abraham Effiong, Mkpang Efa Eyo, Christopher Uduak Etim, Daniel Bassey Duke, Edet Aququo Edet, Glory Friday James, Joseph Ubi Effiom, Eyo Ewa Eyo, Etim Essien Oku, Elvis Inokojong, Bassey Okon Bassey, Francis Eyo Honesty, Anthony Agbor Lazarus, Christian Amos.
While others are: Onuwa Ogana Onuwa, Ebin Ita Nsuijon, Samuel Effiong Mark, Daniel Jatto, Raphael Kingsley Ben, Stanley Julius, Wisdom Maduka, Covenant Ebri, Mary Linus Ekpo, Osim Inyang Ejah, Ogar Victor, Udiba Ona Samuel, Ekpenyong Bassey, Effiong Okon, and Chibuike Lucky.