PRESIDENTIAL AMNESTY PROGRAMME: Beneficiaries From Ogbia LGA, Denied Stipends Despite Federal High Court Judgment

**Says Appeal Filed By Interim Administrator Of PAP, An Attempt To Further Frustrate Beneficiaries: A Call For Immediate Justice.

Beneficiaries of the presidential Amnesty programme under the Asaraba Pillar Camp, Epebu, ogbia council area of Bayelsa state have raised alarm over the untold hardship faced by Beneficiaries who were unjustly cut of from the programme, withholding their payment for over 8 years.

The ex-agitators whose payment stopped since 2017 are amazed by the deliberate move by PAP not to pay Beneficiaries their outstanding stipends despite the court judgement ruling in favour of the Beneficiaries directing PAP to pay the Beneficiaries.

Representative of the affected Beneficiaries, Comrade Nathaniel Nicholas Goodnews, in a statement said.

” registered beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from the Asaraba Pillar Camp, Epebu, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, have been denied their monthly stipends for the past Eight (8) years. These beneficiaries, who had been receiving N65,000 monthly from inception of the programme in 2009, were abruptly cut off from payments in September 2017 without any cause”.

“Despite a landmark judgment delivered in their favour by Honourable Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court on the 19th of June, 2024, the beneficiaries continue to suffer as the defendants in the Case particularly The Interim Administrator and Hon. Gibson Munalayefa has refused to comply with the Court’s Judgment”.

“The Ex-Militants/beneficiaries, led by NG Nicholas, have endured unimaginable hardship and deprivation for the past eight (8) years. These stipends, which were meant to support their livelihoods and reintegration into society, have been withheld without explanation, leaving many of them and their families in abject poverty”.

“The continued deprivation of these stipends has had devastating effects on the Ex-Militants and their families. Many have been unable to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare. The situation has also caused psychological trauma, deaths and a sense of abandonment among the beneficiaries, who once believed in the promise of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to bring peace and development to the Niger Delta region”.

The constant emphasis by Gibson Munalayefa that the beneficiaries will continue to suffer is not only cruel but also a blatant disregard for the rule of law and the welfare of citizens. The Interim Administrator must leave up to expectations even as we urge all stakeholders to act swiftly to rectify this situation and restore hope to the affected beneficiaries”.

Representative of the affected Beneficiaries, Comrade Nathaniel Nicholas Goodnews, said after 8 years of non payment by the PAP and 6 months after the landmark Judgement, the Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro’s led PAP administration shamefully went to court to appeal a judgement that is visible to even the blind that the Beneficiaries were unjustly treated and deserved to be paid.

NG Nicholas wrote;

“In response to claims by the Oppressors that the matter involving the registered beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) from the Asaraba Pillar Camp, Epebu, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, is currently in the Appeal Court, the beneficiaries and their representatives wish to state the following:

The Amnesty Office filed an appeal at the Port Harcourt Judicial Division on the 7th of January, 2025, over Six (6) Months after the Court Judgment was delivered by Honourable Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court on the 19th of June, 2024. Despite this appeal, no hearing date has been set, and the beneficiaries continue to suffer from the deliberate deprivation of their stipends for the past Eight (8) years.

The said appeal appears to be a deliberate attempt to further frustrate, oppress, and prolong the suffering of the affected beneficiaries, who have already endured eight (8) years of unpaid stipends since September 2017 till date. This action by the Amnesty Office is not only a blatant disregard for the rule of law but also a clear demonstration of insensitivity to the plight of these law-abiding citizens who have fulfilled all their obligations under the programme.

The beneficiaries demand:
1. Immediate Compliance with Court Judgment: Demand that the Amnesty Office and other relevant parties comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court by paying all outstanding stipends owed to the beneficiaries from Asaraba Pillar Camp, Epebu, Ogbia LGA, from September 2017, without further delay.

2. Withdrawal of the Appeal: Urge the Amnesty Office and the Coordinator of the PAP Programme to withdraw the appeal filed at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, as it is a clear attempt to frustrate justice and prolong the suffering of the beneficiaries.

3. Investigation into Motives Behind the Appeal: Conduct a thorough investigation into the motives behind the filing of the appeal and hold accountable any individuals or entities responsible for this act of oppression and injustice.

4. Protection of Beneficiaries’ Rights: Safeguard the rights and dignity of the beneficiaries by ensuring that they are not subjected to further oppression, discrimination, or any form of injustice in the administration of the programme.

“We therefore, call on His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Government, His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri led Government of Bayelsa State, the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), ICPC Nigeria, National Human Rights Commission, Abuja, Corporate Affairs Department, Amnesty International, Chief Samuel Ogbuku Managing Director and CEO, NDDC, the President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), The National President, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Relevant Authorities, Well Meaning Nigerians and the General Public to intervene urgently in this matter”. NG NICHOLAS wrote.