The family of Ambrose Alli has released a statement in response to the posthumous presidential pardon granted by President Muhammadu Buhari. Alli had been sentenced to 100 years in prison by a military tribunal during Buhari’s regime, on allegations of misappropriating N983,000 in funds for a road project.
Ambrose Alli’s son, Andrew, expressed the family’s disbelief in his father’s alleged offence and conveyed gratitude to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State for facilitating the pardon.
“We are aware of the announcement concerning the pardon of my father, Professor Ambrose Alli, made by the Government, via its social media pages.
“Although we are yet to receive any direct official communication on this matter, we are pleased to hear that our father/uncle/brother/grandfather has received a presidential pardon.
“We have never believed that he was guilty of anything, other than giving his all to improve the lot of the people of the former Bendel State and, indeed, Nigeria. This is demonstrated by the enduring legacy that he left.
“We thank his excellency, President Buhari, as well as his excellency Governor Obaseki, and all those who have supported the process inside and outside government, for their recognition of this fact.”
Ambrose Alli was released after Gabriel Igbinedion, Esama of Benin, paid a fine of N1 million to Buhari’s military government. He passed away on his 60th birthday on September 22, 1989, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).