A global body against corruption, Transparency International, has advised President Goodluck Jonathan to overturn the controversial pardon granted to a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
He was convicted for money laundering charges in 2007 and sent to two years imprisonment.
A terse statement by Akere Muna, vice-chair of Transparency International said,
“This decision undermines anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria and encourages impunity. If the government is serious about uprooting public corruption, sanctions against those who betray the public trust should be strengthened, not relaxed.”
Transparency International urged the President, Jonathan to prove that he is committed to fighting corruption, adding that the pardon was a setback to the recent effort towards curbing corruption in the country.
The pardon will enable the former Governor, who was arrested in London in 2005, skipped bail, disguised as a woman and flew back to Nigeria to return to active politics.
Another Governor of an oil producing state, Delta, James Ibori, was convicted of a similar offence in London. He was sentenced to a 13 years in jail and will spend at least half of the term.
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