A statement signed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Emmanuel Aguma, SAN, indicated that the governor’s decision to grant the convicts freedom was based on the advice of the State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. The action of the governor, according to the statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday, was also pursuant to the power conferred on him by the constitution. Wike’s directive to release the convict was part of the programme marking the 56thIndependence Anniversary of the country. The beneficiaries, who had been on death row, were identified as Goddy Faghawari, Kendu Uffort and Emmanuel Ekanem. Those serving life imprisonment are Chukwuemeka Emeka, Akara Etteh, Emmanuel Ihenebiri, Samuel Amadi, Sgt. James Mordi and Tochukwu Chukwu.]]>