President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, granted a presidential pardon to a former Governor of old Bendel State, late Prof. Ambrose Alli, and late Chief Anthony Enahoro.
Interior minister, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola announced this in Abuja
Prof Ali was the governor of the old Bendel State in the Second Republic (1978-1983) and was, together with other governors, jailed on trumped-up charges by the Major General Muhammadu Buhari-led military junta.
He was sentenced to 100 years in prison by a military tribunal for allegedly misappropriating N983,000 in funds for a road project.
He was later freed when the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, paid a fine to the government. He finally got released from the Prison after the fine amount of one million naira was remitted by chief Igbinedion.
Shortly after being released from prison, Ambrose Folorunsho Alli died on his 60th birthday on 22 September 1989, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Lagos
Buhari also granted pardon to three other Nigerians, two of whom are ex-military officers.
“I am pleased to inform you that five ex-convicts recommended for presidential pardon (by Buhari) have been so pardoned. They are late Prof Ambrose Alli, Late Chief Anthony Enahoro, ex Lt. Col. Moses Effiong, Major E.J. Olanrewaju and Ajayi Olusola Babalola”.
