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Momodou
Denmark
11717 Posts |
 Posted - 17 Sep 2010 : 20:41:32
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Foroyaa Editorial : NO PREROGATIVE OF MERCY EXERCISED FOR RAMADAN? WHAT ARE THE ADVISERS OF THE PRESIDENT DOING ABOUT FEMI?
By Publisher on 17-09-10
Femi Peters is still languishing in jail. His only crime is reported to be the use of a public address system in a public place without the permission of the police and holding a procession. No witness had mentioned anything which came close to violence, public disturbance or threat to public order or security. There are many officials who are in detention without trial.
The supreme law of the land considered it wise, right and proper to provide for a special provision that could be relied on by anyone who occupies the office of president to release convicts who no one could brand as criminals who have done wrong to another person or the public at large.
Why has the Supreme law given such prerogatives to only one office, that of the President of the Republic?
The answer is simple.
The Presumption is that the president who is elected by the vast majority of the people must realise that he or she derived power from the consent of the electorate and will not retain power if it is not exercised to promote their general welfare. In this respect, one expects that the heart of such a person will beat in unison with the heart beat of every Gambian and would therefore be ready to do justice without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
This is why section 82 empowers the President to grant any person convicted of any offence a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions.
However, the Constitution goes further than that. It knows that any human being can make an error of judgment. This is why section 62 of the constitution makes provision for the establishment of a committee on the exercise of the prerogative of mercy consisting of the Attorney General and the other persons appointed by the President subject to confirmation by the National Assembly.
Foroyaa’s question is: What are the advisers of the President doing and why are they not visible to the public? Femi Peters definitely deserve their focus and attention. Foroyaa will therefore do special investigation on the committee and throw light whether it is in existence and active or non existent and dormant. Good governance is to make institutions to work on the basis of democratic laws and rules that enlarge liberty and enhance prosperity.
Source: Foroyaa Online
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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