President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday granted posthumous presidential amnesty to Ambrose Alli, a former governor of the defunct Bendel State, and a foremost nationalist, Anthony Enahoro.

It is clear for what reasons Mr Alli was granted pardon: a military tribunal during Mr Buhari’s first coming as head of state convicted Mr Alli in 1983 for misappropriating ₦983,000 funds for a road project. The pardon, therefore, means he ceases to be considered an ex-convict, officially, although the military tribunal was condemned by local and international rights groups for being draconian and non-transparent.

However, the case of Mr Enahoro is different. He was jailed alongside other leaders of the defunct Action Group (AG) – then Nigeria’s main opposition party led by Obafemi Awolowo. Mr Enahoro, Mr Awolowo, Lateef Jakande, who would later become governor of Lagos State, and other AG leaders were tried by the Tafawa Balewa civilian government for plotting to overthrow the government. They were jailed for treasonable felony.

However, as contained in a Gazette (No. 81 of vol. 53) dated August 12, 1966, and signed by Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon, the then military head of state, Mr Enahoro was granted full pardon for the offence of treason for which he was jailed in 1963.

Although during the British colonial era, Mr Enahoro was jailed at least on three occasions, all on the count of sedition. These were for his critical exposés on the British government as a journalist.

Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon
Whether or not this was the reason for which Mr Enahoro got the posthumous pardon is unclear.

Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola who announced the presidential amnesty on Thursday offered no details aside listing the beneficiaries of the pardon.

The ministers of interior and information, as well as the attorney-general of the federation, could not provide further clarification on Mr Enahoro’s pardon.


A spokesperson of the interior ministry referred all enquires on the matter to the justice ministry.

When contacted, Umar Gwandu, spokesperson of the justice minister, said, “You’re sure that he was pardoned in the past? If there is any response I’ll provide for you.”
He is yet to get back or respond to further enquiries.

Information Minister Lai Mohammed and his spokesperson, Segun Adeyemi, declined to comment. So did presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu. Calls and messages to their phones were unanswered.

Enahoro’s Family Speaks

President Muhammadu Buhari was appreciated in a statement shared on Facebook on behalf of the Enahoro family, by the son to the late Mr Enahoro, Eugene Enahoro.


President Muhammadu Buhari
Mr Eugene Enahoro acknowledged the initial pardon by the Gowon regime. He added that the latest pardon would exonerate the late Enahoro for the persecution he got under the military junta.

Also, in what he described as an “erroneous trending post,” the younger Enahoro said his father’s pardon was not “related to his famous Treasonable Felony trial. IT IS NOT. Buhari’s pardons relate to what happened under military government.”

Odia Ofeimun, who worked as an administrative officer in the Federal Public Service Commission, and as a private secretary to late Mr Awolowo, also said Mr Enahoro was not convicted in any other trial apart from that of treasonable felony alongside Mr Awolowo.

“No, not at all,” he said.

“I can remember that there was a probe on FESTAC under Obasanjo (as military head of state). At the time, Chief Enahoro was probed for $15,000 FESTAC funds. But he was not convicted.”

The Initial Pardon

In 1966, there was a turn of fate for Mr Enahoro and other Action Group members. After Nigeria’s second military coup which brought in Yakubu Gowon, the new military ruler granted them amnesty.

The gazetted directive read thus: “Whereas Chief Anthony Eronsele Enahoro, having been duly convicted of the offences of treasonable felony, conspiracy to commit a felony and conspiracy to effect an unlawful purpose, and sentenced to imprisonment for seven, three and one years respectively on all three counts:

“And whereas the said Chief Anthony Eronsele Enahoro, having served a portion of the sentence originally imposed on him in September 1963:

“And whereas the Supreme Military Council after reviewing his case, is pleased to remit the sentence and to grant a full pardon:

“Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 101 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Supreme Military Council do hereby remit the unexpired portion of the sentence imposed on the aforesaid Chief Anthony Eronsele Enahoro and grant him a fall pardon.

“Given under my hand and the Public Seal of the Republic of Nigeria at Lagos this 2nd day of August, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-six.”

Mr Gowon would later appoint Mr Enahoro as Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Information and Labour in 1967.
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/387456-controversy-as-buhari-pardons-already-pardoned-anthony-enahoro.html

Buhari does not know anything

Nackzy:
Buhari does not know anything

This is hate speech

summarize it pls. strength inadequacy to type and focus on screen.just too bored

If anything, this is showing Enahoro as a serial offender who needs to be serially pardoned.

Buhari pardoned him for alleged crimes committed circa 1983, and not for those he allegedly committed and was pardoned for in '63.

budaatum:
If anything, this is showing Enahoro as a serial offender who needs to be serially pardoned.

Buhari pardoned him for alleged crimes committed circa 1983, and not for those he allegedly committed and was pardoned for in '63.

He must have been a stubborn man

I can recollect vividly that Pa Anthony Enahoro was charged in 1997 by Gen Sani Abacha for treason along with Rtd Gen Alani Akinrinade And Wole Soyinka. Gen Abacha was unable to convict them before he was beckoned to the world beyond.

The case was however dropped by Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar.

As far back as Festac days, politicians have been looting.

Who is clean in this country?

When recounting the founding fathers of Nigeria and efforts to liberate from colonial power, why is Enahoro never included?

It is common to mention Awo, Zik and Bello.

Enahoro went to jail to get us independence. None of the other three did.

It is unfair to him.

MetaPhysical:
When recounting the founding fathers of Nigeria and efforts to liberate from colonial power, why is Enahoro never included?

It is common to mention Awo, Zik and Bello.

Enahoro went to jail to get us independence. None of the other three did.

It is unfair to him.

I think the three of them are prominent not on merit, but due to the need to balance things. The North was not in support of Independence and even upon independence, they were ready to secede. Hence, I don't know what Ahmadu Bello is doing there. I think Ahmadu Bello is there because of federal character.

As for Enahoro, he is not mentioned because he didn't gain immediate political power upon independence and because he is from an area regarded as a minority area at independence. Remember the minorities voiced out their fears about this in the Willink Minority Commission of 1957-58.

Another very important factor is media influence. Awolowo had the Nigerian Tribune, Azikiwe had the West African Pilot and Southern Nigerian Defender, Ahmadu Bello had the New Nigerian Newspaper. Enahoro was a Newspaper Editor at age 21 but he never owned a newspaper publishing company. If you don't tell your story, don't expect others to tell it for you.

Pardon