The moves started few years back when President Jonathan assumed office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria but was not accepted because Diepreiyewas was not remorse.
Just before today, sources said the list was being reviewed and some names might not come up on the list when it would be presented to the council, since the names were just meant to balance out Diepreiyewas.
The reasons to be presented by the Presidency was perfected before the meeting. Sources affirmed that the Presidency would present importance of Mr. Alamieyeseigha to the Ijaw nation and the great role he could play in maintaining peace and security in the Niger Delta region.
Mr. Jonathan will further argue that his former boss had shown remorse and that he should be given opportunity to contribute his quota to the process of nation building.
It would be recalled that, Alamieyeseigha embezzled the state funds, a crime which he was convicted for. In July 2007, he pleaded guilty to a six- count corruption charge before a Nigerian court and was sentenced to two years in prison on each count. He also once jumped bail in the UK in December 2005 and absconded by allegedly disguising as a woman. He was also charged with money laundering when the London Metropolitan Police found about N253 million in cash in his London home. He is still a wanted man in the UK.
The council also granted a state pardon to another ex-convict and former head of the Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama.
At the meeting attended by three former heads of states and some state governors, pardon was also granted to some of those convicted for coup plotting by the Sani Abacha administration.
Others that were granted pardon are the former Chief of General Staff, Major General Oladipo Diya (rtd); former Chief of Staff Supreme Military Council, and brother of the late President, Major General Shehu Musa Yar’adua (Post Humous); ex-Major Bello Magaji NA/6604, Mohammed Lima Biu; Major General Abdulkareem Adisa (Post Humous) and former Major Segun Fadipe.
The Council of State comprises of the President, Vice President, all state governors, former Presidents, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Senate President and Speaker amongst others.