As a way of decongesting correctional centres in Enugu state, the government on Wednesday expressed its readiness to adopt prerogative of mercy for the release of some prisoners.

The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Kingsley Udeh stated this when the Catholic Institute for Development Justice And Peace (CIDJAP) Human Rights group paid him a visit in his office.

Udeh who reiterated Governor Peter Mbah’s readiness to actualise quick dispensation of justice in Enugu State “by proposing a prerogative of mercy” however did not say when the state government intended to commence the programme.

The commissioner hailed CIDJAP for their efforts in rendering support to prison inmates and assured of government’s collaboration for optimal service delivery.

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In his remark, leader of the CIDJAP Human Rights in the state, Prof. Monsignor Obiora Ike, told the commissioner that the group provided free legal services for prison inmates, who could not afford to hire a lawyer.

Prof. Ike said the group also reintegrated released inmates back to the society and provided free accommodation for the homeless ones.

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, says retired Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu remained exceptional in his military career and left an indelible mark in his service to father land.

Buratai said this during the Grand Homecoming, Thanksgiving Mass and Reception for Ezugwu, held on Wednesday at his Umurusi Ukehe community in Igbo-Etiti local government area of Enugu State.

He said that when he discovered the genius and exceptional quality as well as humility, he drew him closer and saddled him with assignments and responsibilities.

According to him, Ezugwu discharged his assignments and duties with a touch of some level of perfection.

“Discovering his unique qualities, I placed him in critical and demanding positions and he delivered with some level of perfection.

“I tested his humility and endurance by keeping him as an acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division for two years even when he was doing exceptionally well in fighting insurgency in that axis of the country.

“While as a threatre commander, he helped the country to roll back the expansion of Boko Haram and recovered a lot communities and council areas that fall into the hands of the bandits,” he said

The former COAS thanked Ezugwu for coming out with lots of initiatives as well as conceptualizing and building anti-landmine vehicles and landmine detactors to protect Nigerian troops from landmines planted by the enemies.

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Earlier, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, appreciated Ezugwu for doing the state proud in his exceptional military career under the Nigerian Army.

Mbah, represented by his deputy, Chief Oliver Ossai, noted that Ezugwu served with integrity and remained a top officer retiring with a clean and respected record in the Nigerian Army.

“As a state, we want our people to emulate your forthrightness and humility to bring out the best for the common good of humanity,” he said.

Expantiating on his sermon at the Church Thanksgiving Service at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Ukehe; Monsignor Joseph Atado urged Nigerians to turn to God, noting “no gun can stop insecurity”.

“Nigeria’s insecurity can also be solved in one week or a month if the politicians who benefiting from the misfortune can stop interfering with the security operations across the country,” Atado said.

Lamenting the level of insecurity and massacre of defenseless residents of Plateau Communities on Christmas Eve, the cleric said that unless the Lord protects the city, the soldiers, the police labour in vein.

“So, our message is for our people to cry out to God. Nigeria belongs to God and God created Nigeria. He can take care of us as his creatures,” he said.

Speaking about the celebrant, Ezugwu, the cleric who said he had known him since 2003 when he was a Lieutenant Colonel, described Ezugwu as a “perfect gentleman, a man who fears God, a humanitarian and a man who devoted his service to God and humanity”.

Responding, retired Maj.-Gen. Ezugwu thanked his family, coursemates, and well-wishers for coming from across the country to honour him despite challenges.

He, however, described his military carrier spanning 1985 to 2023, as “a very sweet and bitter journey”.

He commended his wife for being there for him both “physically and spiritually, and his children for their support too.”

Ezugwu also thanked the priests and his people of Ukehe community for their support and prayers, and prayed that God should bless them.

High points of the event were unveiling of Ezugwu statue in his Ukehe community, presentation of gifts, testimonies about Ezugwu and honouring of Buratai among others.

Ezugwu statue

Dignitaries that graced the event included the GOC 82 Division, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada; retired Brig.-Gen. J.O.J. Okoloagu; and former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, among others.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, eulogised the departed Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, describing him as a fearless fighter, brother, confidant and political soulmate.

In a personally signed statement expressing his grief on the passing of the Governor, Tinubu said, “Today, I mourn a fighter and fearless defender of truth and the masses…brother, confidant, political soulmate, and the Executive Governor of Ondo State.”

“Rotimi was a man of ideas and action. While he was with us, he taught us the power of action and service.

“In Ondo State, where he had the honour to serve as the governor over the past six years, he served his people with absolute loyalty, dedication, and forthrightness,” said the President.

Akeredolu, aged 67, died on Wednesday morning after a prolonged battle with prostate cancer, the state government confirmed Wednesday.

The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, announced the governor’s death in a statement saying, “Mr. Governor peacefully departed from this world in the early hours of today, Wednesday, December 27, 2023.”

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, ex-president of the Nigerian Bar Association and ex-Attorney General of Ondo State, he was a second-term governor expected to conclude his tenure in 2024.

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In his tribute titled “I mourn my fearless brother, Rotimi Akeredolu,’ Tinubu said:

“Rotimi has played his role well and left us untimely. We will never see his likes again. Let me tell the people of Ondo State that I am grieving with you. We will honour Rotimi’s memory and make sure his legacy of service is never forgotten.

“In my grief and sadness, I have telephoned his wife, Betty, and Acting Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to commiserate with them and urge them to take heart over this national tragedy.

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“Governor Akeredolu was not just a friend and associate, the departed leader was a brother and a soulmate. His death is a blow to our governing APC and the progressive family as we are diminished by it.

“I hope that his successor Aiyedatiwa will hold steadfast to the vision of governance left by this towering political leader.”

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned the Christmas Eve killings in 20 communities in Mangu, Bokkos, Mangu and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State.

He faulted security agencies for their failure in intelligence gathering in which they could not avert the heinous crime leading to the death of over 100 people.

Abubakar called on the government and security agencies to be more proactive and scale up its intelligence gathering techniques because “the bandits and terrorists are always a step ahead.”

The Sultan, who is also the President, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, stated this in a goodwill message at the closing of the 80th National Islamic Vacation Course which held on Wednesday at the Air Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium, Bauchi.

He said: “We have problems of insecurity. Just a couple of days back, there was this clash in Plateau (State) where over 100 plus lives were lost. Why do we keep on having these clashes, why do we keep on having these deaths caused by ourselves? A couple of weeks back, the Tudun Biri issue (in Kdauna State) is still fresh in our minds, and now the one in Plateau.

“We always condemn such things but after condemning such activities by these bandits and criminals, what are the roles of the governments who are supposed to protect our lives and property?

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“Why can’t we be proactive and stop such attacks before they happen? What happened to our intelligence gathering mechanisms. Can anybody tell me that nobody knew that such attacks were coming up?

“In various places, whether it is Sokoto, Birni Kebbi or in Kaduna or anywhere. Have we lost our sense of gathering information to avert any of such heinous crimes? We must ask our governments to up the game because these bandits are always a step ahead.”

Abubakar also warned against politicising insecurity in the country saying this was dangerous and the worst way to go.

“For some of us who were opportune of serving in the military, we know the activities of the security agencies, so we keep on asking, what really is happening? Things are politicised and that’s the worst way to go when you politicise insecurity.

“We’re all in one big country where we have poverty. Yes, Muslims, Christians and even people who don’t have religion, go to the same market, they buy the same foodstuffs, they enter the same vehicles, pay the same fares, so it is not the issue of religion. Let’s not say that anybody is planning this against Christians or against Muslims. No, it is the issue of leadership.

“Let’s have confidence in the leadership that within the next few weeks, months and year, something will change. Let’s keep on having hope and we should not lose hope. But we must keep calling on our leaders to rise up to the occasion. Things are not right and when things are not right, anything can happen,”

“As Muslims, we believe in the Almighty Allah who does what he wants to do and when he wants to do it. So let’s continue with our prayers.

“But as we pray, let’s put pressure on our leaders do the right thing, let’s not leave our leaders with their own problems and faults. We must all take this leadership as one opportunity for all of us to be good to one another and let our country be a much better country. The challenges are there and there are so problems but we have to face those challenges.”