By VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG

UMUAHIA -THREE inmates of Enugu Prisons,  Raphael Udeh, Elvis Ilomuanya and David Amaefule, who were sentenced to death on July 1, 2010, by former Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Sunday Imo, have petitioned Governor Theodore Orji, seeking for clemency on the ground that their trial and conviction was politically motivated.

They were convicted for   murder, riot and arson in Abia State, in which  several persons reportedly lost their lives.

In the petition by their counsel, Mr Obianwu Nwokedi, SAN, the trio based their plea for clemency on the grounds  that their conviction on the basis of being involved in the youth movement without showing the roles they played in the alleged offence was unfortunate.

According to the petition, “the different confirmations of the factual situations ought to have, to a great extent made the judgement and conviction to be otherwise.  From the available records and as also admitted by the prosecution, the convicted persons had never at any time been involved in any breach of the law warranting arraignment in court or conviction.

“The Police headquarters, Abuja, in its investigation had directed the release of some of the convicted persons for non complicity in the alleged offence which was not acceded to, yet they were arraigned and convicted.”