Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, granted pardon to 10 inmates with less than one year to serve their terms in correctional centres in the state.
Igwe Kelechukwu, Esazobor Ohioze, Gift Osaretun, Takyi Rockson, Dikuar Friday, Ossai Glory, Augustine Sunday, Daulagha Ebifagha Godluck, James Paul, and Anas Isah were among those granted pardons.
The pardon, granted in accordance with the governor’s prerogative of mercy, was announced in a statement by the Office of the Special Adviser, Media, Governor’s Office, led by Crusoe Osagie.
Obaseki’s stint as governor concluded on Monday, and he will pass over control to Edo State’s next governor, Monday Okpebholo.
Okphebholo rose to prominence after winning the state’s governorship election on September 21, 2024, defeating his closest challenger and Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Justice P.O. Isibor (retd), Chairman of the Edo State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, requested that Obaseki pardon 10 convicts.
The statement read, “Following the ending of His Excellency’s tenure, the council received a letter from the Benin Correctional Service, dated 5th day of November 2024, requesting clemency for the inmates having less than one year to serve, forwarded to the council by the Controller of the Correctional Centre.
“The council convened a meeting where their applications were scrutinised and unanimously made appropriate recommendations.
“Mr. Governor is respectfully invited to consider and approve the recommendations of the council.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
