Boko Haram: Grant Presidential pardon to 54 soldiers sentenced to ten years imprisonment- MURIC appeals to Buhari

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appeal President Muhammadu Buhari in the spirit of forgiveness and freedom which the middle and end of Ramadan stand for and in exercise of the prerogative of mercy, grant presidential pardon to 54 soldiers sentenced to ten years imprisonment.

MURIC reminds President Muhammadu Buhari of the plight of the 54 soldiers who were imprisoned for refusing to fight Boko Haram insurgents with poor weapons.

The 54 soldiers were sentenced to life imprisonment ab initio before the sentence was commuted to ten years imprisonment.

MURIC in a statement issued by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the group sees the 54 soldiers as whistle-blowers, not criminals because they actually exposed the $2.1 billion arms fraud. It is a sad paradox that while other whistle-blowers are being rewarded, the 54 soldiers are languishing in jail. This is frustrating.

“In the spirit of the forgiveness and freedom which the middle and end of Ramadan stand for, we appeal to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to, in exercise of the prerogative of mercy, grant presidential pardon to the 54 soldiers.

“We call on civil society, particularly anti-corruption crusaders to speak out for the 54 soldiers. We also remind state governors and state chief judges to use the occasion to visit prisons in their states with a view to setting free a large number of inmates particularly those awaiting trial.

“Finally, we charge Nigerian Muslims to use the occasion of the Id Al-Fitr to pray fervently for President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) and the Nigerian nation. Prayer points should include divine protection for PMB, triumph over all forces lined up against him and another four-year tenure of peace, prosperity and progress.