Lay down your arms, we’ll be merciful, Jonathan tells Boko Haram

Date: 16-11-2011 11:44 am (13 years ago) | Author: YoungStoriez
[1] 2 3 4
- at 16-11-2011 11:44 AM (13 years ago)
(m)
…vows to crush criminal elements
BY DANIEL IDONOR
ABUJA — IN apparent response to calls for amnesty for the deadly Boko Haram, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, stated that government was prepared to reintegrate and rehabilitate those who took arms against the state provided they lay down their arms.

The President who renewed earlier calls on those who chose to live on the fringes of the law to retrace their steps as government is prepared to work with them to facilitate their reintegration and rehabilitation, however, warned that they should also be prepared to face the wrath of the state should they fail to lay down their arms.

Jonathan spoke while inaugurating the re-constituted Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, PACPM, chaired by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, who was represented by a member of the committee, Mr Tunji Abayomi



Said he: “W e intend to always provide a window of opportunity for those who have seen the folly in anti social behaviours to retrace their steps. I wish to renew my calls to those that chose to live on the fringes of the law to retrace their steps and we are prepared to work with you to facilitate your reintegration and rehabilitation. If you undermine the state, be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

“Our review of processes and institutional reforms are indeed designed to strengthen and realign all the instruments and agencies of crime prevention and punishment. My administration will not rest on its oars until the spirit of the law runs across the land. I promise to deliver sudden justice for criminal elements.”

He warned that “today our character or reputation as caring and forgiving people are under severe test by frequent acts of mindless brigandage fanaticism which has resulted in the killing and maiming of hundreds of our citizens including those engaged in the noble acts of serving their fatherland.

“We now confront evil of nation that is unacceptable to all religions and our culture and our sense of humanity but I know that this nation is resilient and the people are strong and refuse to buy into acts of destruction which agents of violence are promoting. We shall fight and defeat the evil.”

He, therefore, tasked the committee in making recommendation to assess every case strictly on its own merit, stressing: “We will not exercise the prerogative of mercy on a quota basis or in defence to the consideration of religion, geography, ethnicity or politics.”

“Let me seize this opportunity to therefore reassure the nation that I have initiated a very rapid and robust process to enhance the capacity of our security forces to protect life and property. Even as I mentioned security scare, I am confident in the ability of our security agencies to overcome the present one. we are resolute in our charge to security agencies to go after all promoters of terror and other anti social activities and bring them to book”, he said.

The President noted that “although our justice administration process is adversarial and doesn’t provide for parole or suspended sentences as in some other jurisdictions, I strongly believe that the cycle of justice should include forgiveness and relief for those that are manifestly repentant”.

“The pervasive assumption is that the Nigerian penal system is punitive and that every encounter with the law may be permanent exit from decent society. We need to place emphasis on our penal system being more correctional, we need to create opportunities for convicted persons either after completing their terms or before they do so considering the circumstances to be reintegrated back into the society and be rehabilitated. Perhaps we can achieve a lot more by making the justice system a bit more redemptive. In doing this, we also need to pay particular attention to human rights especially where there is ample evidence of abuse”.

He explained that “the prerogative of mercy which is enshrined in our constitution, allows the president and the state governors to grant re-convicted person state pardon. This pardon

can be either conditional or otherwise but it could be in the form of respite from the execution or punishment imposed to a less severe sanction. This is a very serious responsibility that need to be carried out with due diligence and solemnity”.

Besides, he said “at times, this decision involves matters of life or death of citizens, it calls for the highest level of decorum and ethics and utmost fidelity to good consciences and public good. It is perhaps for this reason that the constitution provides for this very important Presidential Advisory Committee to assist the president for the exercise of prerogative of

mercy”.

The role of the committee, Jonathan pointed out “most assume a significance now that our nation is in transformation and as we tackle new security challenges in accordance with due process and the rule of law. Your work must go beyond the routine decongestion of prisons and redressing the miscarriage of justice. I need you to be at the front-line of cultural transformation and value reorientation. I need to point out, however, for the avoidance of doubt that our emphasis is mainly prerogative.

This will not in any way detract us from our duty to protect the life and property of all citizens and safeguard the Nigerian state against any form of violation”.

According to him, “I also want to reassure those out people who have lost their relatives to these crimes that we shall bring the perpetrators to book. We share in your pain, we stand united as we confront the actions of misguided few who seems determined to violate the core values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence”, he said.

While congratulating those who have been appointed in this committee with a charge to quickly settle down to work to clear the backlog of cases in the interest of justice and above all, our determination to be fair to all within the ambit of the law, Jonathan disclosed that the former committee was constituted in 2005 and its four years tenure ended in 2009. The new one had not been constituted since then.

Vanguard Nigeria

Nigerians...What should i call THIS???.....Incompetence???....or Just Disgraceful??....Am not criticising Anyone though, but saying we will be merciful is a BIG Shame!!!!!

Posted: at 16-11-2011 11:44 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
- Youngstoriez at 16-11-2011 11:48 AM (13 years ago)
(m)
Sorry, i never meant to say incompetence...but its known that those animals wont lay down their arms and they will try to play tough....they have been warned several times and its helping no matters, they say'' The HARD way is the only way'' ....Its time to play this shit the HARD way!!! We have NO time to plead with them to lay down their arms!!!! *kill them Boko Hram ALL'' Thats wassup
Posted: at 16-11-2011 11:48 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- queenrukky at 16-11-2011 12:09 PM (13 years ago)
(f)
 Lips Sealed Lips Sealed
Posted: at 16-11-2011 12:09 PM (13 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- abidemilekis at 16-11-2011 12:41 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
Quote from: Youngstoriez on 16-11-2011 11:48 AM
Sorry, i never meant to say incompetence...but its known that those animals wont lay down their arms and they will try to play tough....they have been warned several times and its helping no matters, they say'' The HARD way is the only way'' ....Its time to play this shit the HARD way!!! We have NO time to plead with them to lay down their arms!!!! *kill them Boko Hram ALL'' Thats wassup
>:(whydon;t u think of wat u are saying, why i thinknu 2 will b involve >]
Posted: at 16-11-2011 12:41 PM (13 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
- lomec at 16-11-2011 12:54 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
Do you expect me to start reading this long bullshit......tomorow u will hear 4o die in plateau bomb attack..... Angry Angry Angry
Posted: at 16-11-2011 12:54 PM (13 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
- yaaman at 16-11-2011 02:15 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
this is a great 1 by the presido
Posted: at 16-11-2011 02:15 PM (13 years ago) | Newbie
Reply
- lanudja at 16-11-2011 03:32 PM (13 years ago)
(f)
Whatever!!! Sit down look na dog name... Lets watch and see.
Posted: at 16-11-2011 03:32 PM (13 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- papyefisy at 16-11-2011 04:08 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
 Cool Cool Cool
Posted: at 16-11-2011 04:08 PM (13 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
- babyleslie at 16-11-2011 05:04 PM (13 years ago)
(f)
So Mr presido, u think bokoharam will surrender by saying dis?
Posted: at 16-11-2011 05:04 PM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- Aknankanan at 16-11-2011 06:30 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
joke of the century,my president shuld join the nollywood!
Posted: at 16-11-2011 06:30 PM (13 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
- toibeli at 16-11-2011 06:34 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
Boko Haram will not lay down their arms not until an hausa man assumes the
position of the president of Nigeria.
Posted: at 16-11-2011 06:34 PM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- CammyWhite at 16-11-2011 09:07 PM (13 years ago)
(f)
Using soft words on Boko Haram is a bad idea as it shows weakness - it'll encourage them.
Posted: at 16-11-2011 09:07 PM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- proly at 16-11-2011 09:47 PM (13 years ago)
(f)
stupid boko haram
Posted: at 16-11-2011 09:47 PM (13 years ago) | Hero
Reply
- kebella at 16-11-2011 09:55 PM (13 years ago)
(f)
Quote from: Aknankanan on 16-11-2011 06:30 PM
joke of the century,my president shuld join the nollywood!
Grin Grin

Posted: at 16-11-2011 09:55 PM (13 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- kebella at 16-11-2011 09:58 PM (13 years ago)
(f)
i dont need to waste comment.........weak presido wake up Angry

Posted: at 16-11-2011 09:58 PM (13 years ago) | Addicted Hero
Reply
- ajanni at 16-11-2011 10:04 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
ok
Posted: at 16-11-2011 10:04 PM (13 years ago) | Grande Master
Reply
- estilizo at 16-11-2011 10:53 PM (13 years ago)
(f)
Quote from: kebella on 16-11-2011 09:58 PM
i dont need to waste comment.........weak presido wake up Angry
Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin Grin

Posted: at 16-11-2011 10:53 PM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
- ajanni at 16-11-2011 11:08 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
 Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked Shocked
Posted: at 16-11-2011 11:08 PM (13 years ago) | Grande Master
Reply
- ogebig at 16-11-2011 11:46 PM (13 years ago)
(m)
madam Good Luck when don turn to bad luck, go and sleep she male
Posted: at 16-11-2011 11:46 PM (13 years ago) | Upcoming
Reply
- nickyvil at 17-11-2011 12:55 AM (13 years ago)
(m)
today i no say mr president no suppose dey there
Posted: at 17-11-2011 12:55 AM (13 years ago) | Gistmaniac
Reply
[1] 2 3 4

fire TRENDING GISTS fire

TODAY'S TOP
  1. VIDEO; Lady Shows Off Items She Received As First-Timer At A Church

  2. Nigerian Man Raises Speculations As He Conceals His Fiancé's Face In Pre-Wedding Photo

  3. VIDEO; “If It Wasn’t Chioma, I Wouldn’t Have Gotten Married. There’s No Point” - Davido Speaks

  4. ‘I Don’t Count Weed As Hard Drug’ – Davido Claims

  5. Charly Boy Condemns Police For Misusing Power In Dele Farotimi Defamation Case

  6. Couple Bags 10 Years Jail Term For Using Church To Steal N52m

  7. Man, Jelili Isiaka Bags 18 Month Jail Term For Using Paper To Purchase Motorcycle

  8. Police Arrest Suspect Over Murder Of Farmer, Sikiru Onaolapo In Osun

  9. Beneficiaries Of Boko Haram Insurgency Don’t Want It To End – Governor Zulum Laments

  10. Lagos Pastor, Wife Jailed 10 Years Over N52M Fraud As Court Orders Church To Be Deregistered


THIS WEEK
  1. Popular Skitmaker, Phoebe Reacts As Her Alleged S3x Tape Leaks, Video Goes Viral

  2. Egungun Of Lagos Caught In Cheating Scandal Amid Blackmail Drama

  3. Alarm Raised As Six Girls Go Missing After Attending House Party In Lekki (Video)

  4. Husband Discovers Wife's Shocking Secret After Hacking Her WhatsApp Account: A Plan Of Despair

  5. Toke Makinwa Reveals $700 Face Mask Expense, Calls Her Skin Her "Most Expensive Asset" (Video)

  6. Boko Haram Commander, Abubakar Shekau Killed In Yobe State Military Clash

  7. "₦27bn IGR Behind Fubara, Wike Rift, INEC Now APC Member" – Deji Adeyanju (Video)

  8. Lekki Big Boy, Jago Accuses Ex-Girlfriend Of Using Him For Money, Demands Gifts Back (Video)

  9. Legendary Musician, 2Baba Shares Insightful Encounter With Peter Obi At The Airport (Video)

  10. Nigerian Man Reveals Why He Chose A Senegalese Wife Over A Nigerian Woman


TOP MEMBERS:

Featured Discussions