Last Monday June 24, 2013, Benin City residents woke up without knowing that a hang man was in town to snuff life out of four death row prisoners: Chima Ejiofor, Daniel Nsofor, Osarerenmwenda Aigbonkhan and Richard Igagu.
Their journey to death began on 26th September 2012, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole signed the death warrants of two of the convicted criminals, Daniel Nsofor and Aigbonkhia; while former Governor Lucky Igbinedion signed that of two others.
The prison where in actuality the gallows was situated is along the busy Sapele Road and while the environmental surroundings may look peaceful, on that fateful day, the prison wardens and the hang man were busy organizing the execution of the convicts.
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Barr.Henry Idahagbon, Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
No doubt, most residents had no indisputable fact that the convicts visited court that day to battle for his or her lives, an appeal that was unfortunately rejected by the Federal High Court. They probably took their last meal after returning from the court and met the awaiting hang man who obviously arrived the ancient city few hours before the execution to complete his duty and jet from the town.
One of them robbed a household, rapéd the wife and inserted a container inside her privat-é part until she died
It would be recalled that the exact same day Oshiomhole signed the death warrant of Nsofor and Aigbonkhia, he also granted amnesty to two prisoners condemned to death in exercise of his prerogative of mercy.The Governor noticed that the prisoners, Monday Odu who was simply sentenced to death for conspiracy and murder and Calistus Ikem, sentenced for conspiracy and armed robbery were granted amnesty simply because they didn't take the lives of the victims.
The Governor also commuted to life imprisonment the death sentence of two others: Tijani Mustapha, convicted for conspiracy and armed robbery; Zubem Abduramma, convicted for conspiracy and armed robbery; while Patrick Ojiefo who had been convicted for assault on a police officer while discharging his lawful duty and served 6-months jail term in 1973 was granted pardon.
Speaking after granting amnesty to Odu and Ikem, Comrade Oshiomhole said: “You've been condemned to death for murder but we've exercised the prerogative of mercy release a you from prison for the offence, believing you've learnt your lesson.
You are able to nevertheless be helpful to society and helpful to yourself. You realize the law enforcement agencies are there. If you commit another offence, you understand your own personal is finished. However, having received good reports about your conduct in prison, I believe you are able to still be considered good.”
While addressing Monday Odu, 32, a minor when he was convicted in 1997, Oshiomhole said, “We are letting you off the hook to go and sin no more. We shall find a method to discover a work for you underneath the Edo Youth Employment Scheme. You've no reason to return to crime and which means should you choose anything again you are completely on your own&rdquo ;.
The governor told Calistus Ikem, 52, who had been convicted in 1996 to be ready to work and cope with the rigours of life as he extends back to his family in Imo State.“You stole household items which could have got your life. The federal government will provide you with N200,000 and another N100, 000 to Monday Odu to go and start all over. I hope you will be able to create something positive out of this your present condition&rdquo ;.
But the National Human Rights Commission kicked against the signing of the execution warrant on the two of the prisoners by the Governor, insisting that his action was inhuman. Oshiomhole quickly replied the Commission and Amnesty International that the convicts committed a heinous crime by killing their victims and therefore they didn't deserve to live.
On 21 October 2012, Oshiomhole faulted the Rights groups and explained why he signed the death warrants.
“Agbomien killed his victim, dismembered his body and buried the parts in various places in order to avoid detection. Once the convict was taken up to court, he explained his offence was a blunder however the way he treated the human body indicated that it was a gruesome, premeditated and wicked act,” he explained.
The Governor quoted excerpts of the Supreme Court judgment upholding Agbomien's death sentence and according to the apex court, “the kind of Agbomien fit in with Hades (hell).”
On Nsofor, Oshiomhole said he approved his death sentence because after robbing his victim, a female, of her possessions, he subjected her to horrendous torture and thereafter killed her. In line with the Governor, “the National Human Rights Commission was wrong.
They should be observed to be painstaking in matters of life and death. They should check their facts right. The state doesn't exercise mercy on such persons. I made a decision to free those that didn't kill to go and sin no more. However, we must send an obvious message to criminals that they have no right to kill and live.”
It is likely to be recalled also, that President Goodluck Jonathan had recently directed state governors to sign execution warrants of death row inmates, admonishing them not to shy from same because it was part of the duties.
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