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Presidential Pardon: Why Maryam Sanda, 85 convicts got lesser sentences– AGF

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The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Latest Fagbemi (SAN), given reasons why President Tinubu reviewed the list of 175 convicts that were initially penciled down for presidential pardon.

In a statement released, the Attorney-General said the review was to ensure that only persons that met stipulated legal and procedural requirements benefitted from the prerogative of mercy.

“During this final review, few persons earlier recommended were found not to have met the necessary requirements and were accordingly delisted, while in some other cases, sentences were reviewed and reduced to reflect fairness, justice, and the spirit of the exercise” the statement reads

Earlier today, the Presidency released the final list of persons that were granted clemency. According to the list released, 86 persons whose sentences were reduced by President Tinubu, included Maryam Sanda, the daughter in-law of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who was facing the capital punishment for culpable homicide.

An Abuja high court had on January 27, 2020, sentenced Maryam to death by hanging after she was found guilty of stabbing her husband, Bilyamin Bello, to death at their Abuja residence in 2017.

Though she has been at the Suleja prison for six years and eight months, with the presidential pardon, FG reduced her total sentence to 12 years, “based on compassionate ground, in the best interest of the children, good conduct, embraced new lifestyle, model to prisoners and remorsefulness.”

Also in the list included one Chukwukelu Sunday Calistus, whose life imprisonment for drug related offences was reduced to 20 years after he had spent 11 years in prison.

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Yusuf Owolabi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2015 for manslaughter, also had his punishment reduced to 15 years after he had served for 10 years, while Ifeanyi Eze who was facing a similar punishment over the same offence, also got his sentence reduced to 15 years after his four years stay in prison.

Another convict that was facing life imprisonment for armed robbery and possession of illegal firearm, Mallam Ibrahim Sulaiman, was okayed to stay in prison for only 15 years having already served for two years.

Other beneficiaries included one Samson Ajayi who bagged 15-year jail term in 2022. His sentence was reduced to 10 years, while Alhaji Abubakar Tanko had his 30 years sentence for culpable homicide reduced to 20 years after he had served for seven years.

One Nnamdi Anene who was convicted in 2010 and sentenced to life imprisonment for illegal dealing of arms, was pardoned to serve only 20 years.

Other convicts on the list were sentenced for lesser offences that included unlawful mining, conspiracy to hijack fishing vessel, forgery, obtaining by false pretence, possession of cannabis, fraud, and criminal breach of trust.

The beneficiaries were said to have been remorseful, of good conduct in the prison, acquired vocational skills, or improved their education.

Similarly, in three other separate lists, FG disclosed that whereas 15 persons were granted clemency, 15 others that included Saro Wiwa and Herbert Macaulay, were listed as those that got pardoned, while four others had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment.

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Ramadan: Adamawa gov relaxes night-time restriction on tricycles

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The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.

The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.

“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.

“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.

“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.

The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.

It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.

“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.

Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.

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“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.

“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.

The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.

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DSS to arraign El-Rufai Feb 25 over alleged cybercrime, security breach

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The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security

LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.

The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.

Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.

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The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”

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Mob besieges Benin FRSC office

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The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.

The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.

One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.

“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.

The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.

He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.

Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.

He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.

The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.

(NAN)

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