Grant former Delta Gov, Ibori pardon- Groups urge Tinubu

The National President of Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, Comrade Austin Ozobo has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant presidential pardon to former Delta State Governor, James Onanefe Ibori.

Comrade Ozobo made the call in a WhatsApp chat with our correspondent in Warri.

Ozobo, a human rights activist, said,”Ibori deserves a PRESIDENTIAL pardon, he has served his jail terms in London prison, he forfeited many properties.

The essence of the law is to correct offenders and not to kill them. As Deltans, we are not interested in further punishment for Ibori. He should be pardoned.”

The Chairman Board of Trustees, Centre for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, CHURAC, Alaowei, Cleric Ebikonbowei, Esq has thrown his full weight for the call for Presidential pardon to Chief James Onanefe Ibori saying,”he deserves pardon in order to give him the leeway to handle critical national assignments.”

Also in a WhatsApp chat, Alaowei noted that Chief Ibori is a critical stakeholder in national development.

The decision is not President Tinubu’s sole decision but a collective one by the membership of the Council of State.

“Why should we then blame Mr President for performing his constitutional duties?”

While noting that ‘former Governor Ibori is a law abiding Nigerian, Alaowei said, “If the Council certifies that the man deserves to be given pardon to absolve him of his criminal records then I have no issue to say.

It’s a constitutional privilege given to every Nigerian in such circumstances. I disagree with the opinions that some ex-convicts do not deserve pardon.

“There’s no provision in the Constitution that says pardon should be granted to only certain categories of ex-convicts.”