Christians across the country and outside, under the aegis of the Supreme Council of Bishops, have fervently appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to give a special presidential pardon to the five people convicted and sentenced to death by hanging for killing a herdsman.
A Yola High Court presided over by Justice Abdul-Azeez Waziri last week sentenced the five men to death for culpable homicide and for killing a herdsman.
The convicts are Alex Amos, Alheri Phanuel, Holy Boniface, Jerry Gideon and Jari Sabagi of Demsa local government area of Adamawa State.
They were found guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide which contravened Section 96 (1) (a) and Sections 79 and 221 (b) of the Penal Code of Laws of Adamawa State, 1997.
On June 1, 2017 at Kadamun Village in Demsa local government area they were said to have willfully and intentionally conspired and attacked three herdsmen rearing cattle.
They killed one of the herdsmen and threw his body into a river.
They were said to have also attacked some cows.
But in a letter of appeal for presidential pardon written to Buhari, the Christian body said Nigeria had witnessed too much bloodshed and would therefore appeal for presidential pardon for the convicts.
“We as a Council of Bishops, The Christian Community, and law abiding citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, totally condemn in strong terms, any shedding of blood or wastage of precious human life of the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the account of the killing of an herdsman, whom we all know are the same perpetrators of heinous acts and crimes all over Our Nation Nigeria today, either by hanging or whatsoever means you have chosen to administer justice,” the Christian body said.
Copies of the appeal were sent to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Secretary To Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Mohammed Jibrilla; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Chief Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen and the Attorney General And Commissioner for Justice, Justice Silas Bala Sanga.
Below is the full text of the letter made available to The Next Edition:
THE KILLING BY HANGING OF 5 YOUNG MEN ON MONDAY 11TH JUNE, 2018 FROM KODOMUN IN DEMSA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA SENTENCED TO DEATH BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE OF NIGERIA PLEASE MUST STOP!
The Supreme Council of Bishops, World Episcopal Headquarters, Houston, Texas, United States of America, The Africa Episcopal Headquarters, Lagos, Nigeria, The General Assembly, All Our Seven Continental Episcopal Headquarters Globally, The Entire Body of Christ in Nigeria, and All Esteemed Nigerians of conscience and goodwill, humbly request for Special Presidential Pardon in respect to Five (5) Young Men sentenced to death by hanging for killing a herdsman in Kodomun, Demsa Local Government Area, of Adamawa State, Nigeria, in earnest, totally condemns and disapprove vehemently the death sentence passed on these 5 Young Men on Monday, 11th June, 2018, by a court of competent jurisdiction in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, accused and charged for killing a herdsman.
Nigeria as Our Land, has suffered untold bloodshed from killings, maiming, traumatization of Our innocent citizens around Our North Eastern States, The North Central and Middle Belt Regions, as a result of the ongoing frequent attacks by the militia herdsmen times without number, and till date no adequate justice had been meted out on them commensurate to the lives and properties of our People lost.
We as a Council of Bishops, The Christian Community, and law abiding citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, totally condemn in strong terms, any shedding of blood or wastage of precious human life of the citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on the account of the killing of an herdsman, whom we all know are the same perpetrators of heinous acts and crimes all over Our Nation Nigeria today, either by hanging or whatsoever means you have chosen to administer justice.
What Our Nation Nigeria sues for now in Our nascent democracy is, Peace and Tranquility, and not otherwise.
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As the 2019 General Elections draws to a close, for the sake of Peace, and harmonious coexistence, We make a demand, and request the, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, The Vice President, The President of the Senate, The Chief Justice of Nigeria, The Speaker, Federal House of Representatives, The Secretary To The Government of The Federation, The Executive Governor of Adamawa State, and The Attorney General of Adamawa State Ministry of Justice to grant the five (5) Young men pardon, and to lend their official and governmental support in cancelling this sudden judgement and death sentence, by the court of competent jurisdiction in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
As Nigerian citizens, We remain law abiding and supportive of the current administration’s stride to uphold Peace and Order in Our various states of the Federation, thus, inasmuch as these five (5) Young men possess the right to live as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, We expect Our Government as well, to ensure the pursuance of Peace, safety and protection of Our Citizens’ lives and properties irrespective of class, religion, and social status.
Thank You.
God Bless Mr. President!
God Bless The Federal Republic Of Nigeria!
God Bless The Supreme Council of Bishops Worldwide!
Yours In God’s Majestic Service,
His Eminence,
Archbishop Dr. P. Sunday,
Founding Primate,
Abuja, Nigeria
His Grace,
Archbishop Dr. H. Parker,
Ecclesiastical Prelate Administrator,
Houston, Texas, United States of America, .
Bishop Dr. J. Onyegbulem,
Apostolic Nuncio And Prelate To Africa ,
Lagos, Nigeria
His Lordship,
Bishop Dr. J. Husein,
Ecclesiastical Prelate To West Africa,
Niamey, Niger Republic