To
the average new generation political enthusiasts in Nigeria, they may not be
familiar with the word "Penkelemisi"
a world used by so many people, imagine some young Nigerians think
the word is a brand name of some sorts.
Penkelemesi
is a Yorubanization of the word PECULIAR MESS, a pre-independent famous Ibadan
politician late Gbadamosi Adegoke Adelabu used the word to described the
opposition in the Western Region House of Assembly at that time. Not
understanding what he meant, the non-literate section of his audience
translated the phrase into vernacular as "penkelemesi".
Presidential
(State) pardon is an executive order vacating a conviction. It's not an
abominable act of any sorts because the constitutions of many countries
including Nigeria give the president the power to grant clemency. It can be in
the form of any of the following;
-grant
a full pardon,
-to
commute a sentence and,
-or
to rescind a fine.
On
Tuesday, March 13, 2013, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan granted ex-Governor
DSP Alamieyeseigha and seven others state pardon on the advice of the council
of state.
I do
not have personal grouse with state pardon especially knowing fully well it is
done in other parts of the world and because sometimes judgement can't be
biased or a fellow who commit an offence can change for good after or
during their states' punishments.
Having
gone through the state pardon documents under the current president of the United
States of America Barack Obama, I noticed that the fellows granted state
pardons were all found guilt and convicted by the United States’ courts. Guess
what, they all finished their terms without any option of a fine.
The
first state pardon done under Obama's administration was on December 3, 2010
with 10 sentences ranging from 1972 to 1991.
The
second state pardon was done on May 20, 2011, with eight sentences ranging from
1975 to 1985. The third was done in November 21, 2011 with five sentences.
The
last till date was on March 1, 2013 with 10 sentences and one commutations of
sentence which was given to Eugenia Marie Jennings who was sentenced in 2001
to 262 months (about 22 years) in prison, 8 years of supervised release and
with $1,750 fine.
