OUR convoluted and highly charged political environment gathered more steam recently   in the aftermath of the presidential pardon granted eight Nigerians. The Council of States had granted pardon to the former Chief of General Staff,General Oladipo Diya and former Governor Of Bayelsa State,Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.Others include former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquaters, the late Major General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua,Major Bello Magaji,Mohammed Lima Biu,Shettima Bulama, the late Major General Abdul Kareem Adisa and Major GeneralSegun Fadipe.

The uproar and strident criticisms are predictable and best illustrate the fact that presidential pardons all over the world   have been controversial from the onset. The ongoing robust debate and outpouring of opinions, some of them verging on an intolerant streak against the Jonathan Presidency by its most implacable critics, are symptomatic of our democratic dispensation and represent the triumph of the freedom of expression.

In truth, even President Jonathan paves our streets in gold, our realpolitic dictates that there will always be an army of critics who will spill their bile in disapproval. Whereas the likes of General Diya who was convicted for high treason attracted the least criticism, critics have refused to be placated over the pardon granted DSP Alamieyeseigha, the former Governor of Bayelsa State.

In 2005,the former Governor of Bayelsa was arrested at Heathrow Airport in London on suspicion of money laundering. He has served time in Nigeria and was made to forfeit some of his ill-gotten wealth. The rage against Alamieyeseigha lays bare a dichotomy and the lack of substance which has defined and dominated public discourse in recent times.

The traducers of Alamieyeseiya seem to be saying that having been found guilty of corruption for which he has been punished by the law, he loses every right to be reintegrated into the society. This position canvassed by many well-meaning citizens sucked into the vortex of opposition against the Jonathan presidency is fatally flawed precisely because it goes against the grain, essence and the underlying principles of our legal system and reformation.

If he offends the law and is punished, does he lose the right of full reintegration into the society? In truth, our laws and society encourage the full integration of those who run foul of the law after they had served time, especially if they show penitence and demonstrated willingness to contribute positively to societal growth.

Empirical evidence amply elucidates the fact that pardons are nearly always enmeshed in controversies and, therefore, not a Nigerian phenomenon. Even the United States from where we borrowed our presidential democracy is not immune from these controversies. The most controversial pardon that George H. W.  Bush issued was for six individuals involved in the Iran-Contra Affair.

The Iran -Contra Affair revealed that members of the executive branch sold arms to Iran,funnelled the profits to fund the anti- communist rebels in Nicaragua. The charges levelled against them included perjury,withholding of information to Congress, obstruction of justice and making false statements.

Bill Clinton’s most controversial pardons occured just hours before he was due to leave office and involved pardon of 140 individuals. But the most controversial was the pardon   he granted to Marc Rich and his half brother, Roger Clinton.

In the case of DSP Alamieyeseigha,he was arrested in controversial circumstances by law enforcement agencies in London, set up as it were by a vengeful ex-president out to extract his pound of flesh over a political dispute. Although the highwire politics of recrimination and attrition which defined Obasanjo’s unrelenting pursuit of his political enemies does not in anyway mitigate the enormity   and severity of Alamieyeseigha’s crime, it should however, be noted that he had served time on account of the crime and suffered forfeiture of most of his assets. 

Also, the damages to his reputation is quite profound. Rather than erect barricades on his path to full reintegration,it is the  responsibility of the society  and state to assist him rediscover his better self. Instead of the fixation with the past even after he has confronted his hubris and paid the price, we can help him move on with his life. Lest we forget, Alamieyeseigha contributed enormously to the return of peace to the Niger Delta. As Governor General of the Ijaw nation, he lent his considerable influence to the pursuit of peace in the region. 

Alamieyeseigha’s contribution to peace in the Niger Delta represents a profound transformation of his life of service to the nation. Critics who continue to spit fire seem to misunderstand the true essence, meaning and philosophy of pardons. Having shown penitence and willingness to contribute positively   to societal growth, no effort should be spared, including a presidential pardon, for their full reintegration into the society.

Mr. KEVIN OJI, a public affairs analyst, wrote from  Abuja.