Kalu Wants State Pardon for 1985 Convicted Drug Traffickers

A former Abia Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, on Wednesday called for state pardon for the three men executed for drug trafficking in Nigeria in 1985.

Kalu said in a statement that the death penalty given the trio was too harsh and punitive for an offence considered mild --under the law as at 1985.

The statement, signed by Kalu’s Media Manager, Mr Emeka Obasi, was made available.

The trio - Bartholomew Owoh, 26; Bernard Ogedegbe, 29; and Lawal Ojulope, 30 – were executed by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari's military administration, for drug trafficking.

Reports say that the National Council of States (NCS) had on March 12 approved presidential pardon for eight Nigerians, including Diya and the late Maj.-Gen. Abdulkareem Adisa.

Others are late Lt.-Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Maj.-Gen. Shehu Musa Yar ‘Adua, retired Maj. Bello Magaji, retired Maj. Segun Fadipe, Mohammed Lima Biu, a convicted banker, Shetima Bulama and a one-time Bayelsa Governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

Kalu said: ``The decree that nailed them was backdated and the Justice Adebayo Desalu tribunal condemned the alleged drug couriers to death.

``Owoh's last words still make me to shiver: `I did not pray to die like this; this is a terrible death. If I knew it was going to result into death, God knows that I would never have had anything to do with it'."

``They deserve to be pardoned post-humously.’’

Kalu said the controversy trailing the recent presidential pardon was unnecessary.

``It is part of democracy. There is freedom of speech just like the president is covered under the constitution.

``It is part of the Nigerian history. I know the then Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon pardoned the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo,’’ the statement said.

It added: ``Also, Alhaji Shehu Shagari recalled the late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu from exile, and released Mrs Helen Gomwalk and Capt. Peter Temlong from jail.

``A former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida pardoned the two Guardian journalists -- Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson -- after they were released from jail under the controversial Decree 4 of 1984.

``Another ex-Head of State, Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar  also set a one-time Head of State, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo free.’’