New scoop from Sahara Reporters......

Alams Pardongate: Official Gazette Reveals Generals Diya And Adisa Already Pardoned In 1999

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/alams-pardongate-official-gazette-reveals-generals-diya-and-adisa-already-pardoned-1999

SaharaReporters has proof that this week’s state pardon of convicted former Bayelsa State governor, Dipreye Alamieyeseigha was merely garnished with other names to cover up the true intent.

An official document known as the "Supplement To The Official Gazette Extraordinary No 33, Vol. 86" published on May 26, 1999 and signed by then military head of state, General Abdusalami Alhaji Abubakar, shows that Lt. General D.O Diya; Maj-Gen. A.T Olanrewaju, Maj-Gen. A.K Adisa and several others were granted clemency at that time, 14 years ago.

This document confirms that the pardon granted by President Goodluck Jonathan this week to some military generals accused of coup plotting was mere padding to make the pardon of Alamieyeseigha, his former boss who was convicted for grand theft in Bayelsa state, appear palatable to increasingly incredulous Nigerian citizens and international observers.

The gazette, made on March 4, 1999, also listed several other beneficiaries of government clemency, including civilians.

The gazette exposes President Jonathan’s hollow desperation to confuse Nigerians with the specious argument that the clemency had merely been extended to a number of Nigerians who deserved it, rather than a particular kleptocrat governor who stole millions of dollars from Bayelsa State.

Meanwhile, the decision has continues to attract wide condemnation from within and outside Nigeria. An anti-corruption seminar sponsored by the Niger State government and the Ministry of Planning in Minna today quickly dovetailed into a major discussion about the pardon granted Mr. Alamieyeseigha. Speakers Segun Adeniyi, Dino Melaye, and Kaduna based activist Shehu Sanni condemned the pardon by President Jonathan as they discussed a paper presented by a former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.

With reference to the gazette, popular Nigeria civil rights attorney, Femi Falana, told SaharaReporters today that there is no provision for double pardon in Nigerian law, underlining that Monday's pardon of DSP Alamieyeseigha was a package of fraud that has been exposed by the federal gazette.

Doyin Okupe, a presidential adviser on public affairs, spent all of yesterday speaking to a variety of media organizations at home and abroad in the effort to nail down the impression that the pardon of Alamieyeseigha is both fair and honourable.

Mr. Jonathan has said that he has no apologies for the nationally-reviled pardon. By the pardon, Alamieyeseigha will now be free to accept government appointments, contracts and honours, as well as help the push for Jonathan to win the 2015 presidential election.