Lawyer Faults Okorocha’s Amnesty to Don Waney’s Lieutenants
The Executive Director, Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged, Mr. Oghenejabor Ikimi, has faulted Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State for granting amnesty to some suspected cultists believed to be members of Don Waney’s killer gang.
Ikimi described the action of the governor as ‘reckless abuse of executive power’ and not considering the security threat his action would pose to the security of life and property of Nigeria particularly those of Imo State whom he has sworn to protect.
The human rights lawyer in a statement issued on Friday maintained that some of those granted amnesty were involved in the killing of 23 persons on New Year Day in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and were on security list for illegal possession of ammunition.
According to him, “My attention has been drawn to the recent amnesty granted to Don Waney’s men by Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and I condemn same as a reckless abuse of executive powers, since the decision was taken without recourse to public interest, welfare and safety of the people of Imo State, whom the incumbent Governor had sworn to protect.
“It is public knowledge that Don Waney’s men are wanted by our security agencies for violent crimes ranging from murder, rape, armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms and in particular the January 1st Don Waney’s killings in Omoku Community in Rivers State which claimed several lives with scores injured.
“I therefore make bold to say that it is worrisome for a serving state governor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria whose primary responsibility is to ensure the security and welfare of her citizens under Section 14 (2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to have arrived at such an unpopular decision. If I may ask, is Governor Rochas Okorocha telling our youths that it pays to engage in violent crimes?”
