President Muhammadu Buhari is to meet with security chiefs next week to review the lingering security situation in the country with a view to finding effective solution to it.
Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, who disclosed this in Abuja while speaking with newsmen shortly after today’s Council of State meeting, said the President’s proposed meeting with security chiefs was recommended by the Council.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, also said the Council of State had approved 159, out of the 162 applications presented for consideration for perogative of mercy for convicts and inmates in correctional centers.
He explained that the meeting rejected a proposal to grant pardon to former Bank PHB Managing Director, Francis Atuche, who was sentenced to 120 years for stealing over N25 billion.
According to him, the Council of State also rejected the post-humous pardon of former Chief Security Officer to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Gordon Obuah, who was accused of benefiting from an oil bunkering deal, an allegation he denied, but the panel which investigated him was dissatisfied with his explanation and recommended his dismissal from the DSS.
Also briefing newsmen, the Minister of Special Duties, Senator George Akume, said the meeting approved the conferment of National Honours Award on 434 Nigerians, who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavour.
This is the fourth time President Buhari is presiding over the Council of State meetings.
The Council of State is an organ of the Federal Government saddled with the responsibility of advising the executive on policy matters.
BELLO WAKILI