Group Seeks Amnesty for Reverend King

Amnesty for Reverend King

The Paths of Peace initiatives (PPI) has appealed to the Lagos State Government to grant Chukwuemeka Ezeugo, simply known by his sobriquet Reverend King amnesty and release him unconditionally.

Rev. King who was sentenced to death by hanging by a competent court for commiting murder is presently serving at Maiduguri prison where he awaits the hangman’s rope.

National President of PPI, Mr Dandy Eze, stated that there are many Nigerians who have over the time committed more sins than Rev King, that have been granted granted amnesty by the State Government.

He said “that the group is human rights incorporated and they are aimed at fighting for the rights of the oppressed; the abused, the helpless and hapless Nigerians who may suffer injustice in the hands of the high and mighty.

“We are compelled by prevailing situation in the country to strongly demand the granting of amnesty and unconditional release of Lagos based cleric Rev. King, who was condemned to death in 2006.

“We consider his continued incarceration as a grievous injustice against the Igbo race in particular and humanity in general. This is in consideration of the emerging ugly trend of events in the country where more than 7,000 members of the dreaded and notorious killer-gang, Boko Haram, who have killed millions of Nigerians and still continue to pillage and decimate more including children, were given amnesty by Nigerian government.

“Members of this deadly group are still being granted pardon and released from prisons and equipped with money, resources to better their lives till date while Rev. King, whose guilt is still contestable is left to languish in Maiduguri Prison as a condemned prisoner.

“Worse still, between 2006 and 2009, Lagos state government gave amnesty and freedom to more than 200 prisoners that were condemned. Majority of those freed were armed robbers caught in the act after smearing their criminal hands with innocent blood of Nigerians and foreigners. It must be noted that some of them were notorious killers and murderers and were also sentenced in 2006 November and some in 2007.

“Also, those that killed Mrs. Kudirat Abiola, have been freed, yet Rev. King, is still in prison just because he is not connected to the government.

“This man has continued to be incarcerated while notorious killers, assassins and terrorists are freed almost on a daily bases in the country and government will even reach consensus with them. From the foregoing, it is obvious and glaringly clear that Rev. King who has spent about 15 years in prison should not be left to continue suffering. He should be released.

“It is, therefore, obvious that Nigerian’s tribulations of late should be attributed to this injustice for touching the Lord’s anointed. We are, therefore, calling for his immediate and unconditional release and granting of amnesty. He should not be allowed to stay a day longer in prison”.

Reverend King rose to nationwide prominence following the murder of a church member, Ann Uzoh. He was subsequently sentenced to death in January 2007 and his conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 26 February 2016.