Buhari, Jonathan, others object clemency for rogue banker Francis Atuche

President Muhammadu Buhari and his successor, Goodluck Jonathan, along with other members of the Council of State, have refused to grant clemency to convicted banker, Francis Atuche.

Atuche, a former managing director of Bank PHB, was in June 2021 convicted for N25.7 billion fraud and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment. Atuche is to spend six years.

He was among the 162 names presented to the council of state for clemency.

While Atuche’s plea was refused, those of159 offenders were accepted.

The council of state advises the executive on policy-making matters.

Aside former presidents, other persons at the meeting were Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation; Babagana Monguno, national security adviser, and Ibrahim Gambari, chief of staff to the president were among those present at the meeting on Thursday.

Some officials attended the meeting virtually.