Dr Reuben Abati has explained that the previous ‘pardon’ granted to some former military officers alongside the convicted former governor of Bayela state, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, were not pardon but clemency.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President made this known on Channels TV weekend breakfast show, Sunrise where he explained that the military officers were granted ‘clemency’ and not Pardon.
According to him, the Generals were previously granted ‘clemency’ and not pardon which did not return their full corporal rights thereby they cannot use their military titles but with the new pardon, they have being further forgiven and the pardon has cancelled their corporal rights which were not returned.
Among those pardoned by the President earlier in the week are late General Shehu Musa Yar Adua, and three former Army officers accused of coup plotting: Oladipo Diya, a former Chief of General Staff, Major-General Abdulkareem Adisa and Major Fadipe.
It has been reported that all the military officers had been pardoned by the Abdulsalam Abubakar administration.