From Victor Akinkuolie, Ado-Ekiti
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The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has inaugurated an eight-man Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and a seven-man Chieftaincy Review Commission.
Speaking while inaugurating the two committees, in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, Fayemi, said the move was aimed at implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Reform and to address the plethora of petitions, complaints and requests on chieftaincy matters in the state.
The Governor who averred that the committees were critical to good governance in the state, explained that his government had in less than two months in office, received no fewer than 100 petitions arising from the outcome of the report of the Justice Oyewole Chieftaincy Commission.
He added that the commission became imperative in order to have a more comprehensive approach to addressing the agitations and requests.
On the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, the Governor noted that many awaiting trial detainees have been languishing in prison adding that convicts should not just be given pardon on mere ground of an adhoc visit by the Governor or the Chief Judge, but on a careful examination of their cases to determine whether to give them a second chance or not.
Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Wale Fapohunda had said that the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy is in furtherance of the Governor’s powers to grant pardon to a convict adding that Section 2 of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy and other matters (2012) empowers the Governor to constitute the council.
The Executive Secretary of the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Remi Obaparusi also enumerated the terms of reference of the commission to include investigating the customary law on appointment of all recognized chieftaincies in the state and making recommendations for possible changes in the existing declaration.
According to him, they are to also look into issues relating to the status of Obas and chiefs their paraphernalia of office and order of precedence.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Chieftaincy Commission, Justice Jubril Aladejana said the inauguration of the commission is a testament to the readiness of the governor to resolve the delicate chieftaincy issues.
Aladejana urged stakeholders and affected communities to cooperate with the commission in order to do a thorough job.
