In September this year, the Mercy Commission reviewed a total of 10 mercy petitions and after deliberation made recommendations regarding the petitions of Mahendralal Patel, George Ilikini Naitini Speight, and Shane Gurt Nailatikau Stevens, along with seven others.
A statement by the Commission says Mr Patel, also known as Mahendra Motibhai Patel, was charged with Abuse of Office in 2006, and convicted in absentia on November 20 2014.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment.
An earlier petition to the Commission was submitted by him on 4 April, 2023 and was dismissed.
On June 13, 2024 the Commission received a letter for reconsideration of Mr Patel’s petition from his lawyers.
The Commission deliberated on his second petition and took into account his age, the length of time he was away from Fiji and his substantial contribution to the nation.
As a result, the Commission recommended a conditional pardon for Mr Patel, contingent on his not reoffending.
The statement further reads, Mr Speight, was charged with treason and convicted on his own plea of guilty in 2001.
He had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment in 2002.
Mr Speight has been imprisoned for 24 years, 1 month and 23 days, which is 8,820 days, both on Nukulau Island and at the Naboro Correction Facility.
He had no previous convictions.
The Fiji Corrections Services (FCS) provided positive reports on Mr Speight’s behaviour, recommending a pardon.
Psychological and judicial assessments were also reviewed, with the FCS supporting his reintegration into society.
The Commission has recommended that His Excellency the President grant mercy to Mr Speight, postponing the carrying out of his punishment for an indeterminate period, in recognition of his rehabilitation and the length of time he has served in prison.
As for Mr Stevens, he was convicted of Incitement to Mutiny in 2002.
Mr Stevens has been incarcerated in jail for a total of 21 years, 8 months and 20 days, which is 7,934 days at Naboro Prison.
He had no previous convictions.
The Commission has recommended that Mr Stevens be granted mercy by postponing the carrying out of his punishment for an indeterminate period
Reports and Evaluations from FCS recommended Mr Stevens for a pardon, citing his positive progress during imprisonment.
After careful consideration, the His Excellency, the President, has acted on the recommendations of the Mercy Commission under Section 119(5) of the Constitution on September 18, 2024
The Commission confirms that its decisions have been made in accordance with the Constitution.
The Commission established under section 119(3) of the Constitution, has the power to recommend the President of Fiji: (a) grant a free or conditional pardon, (b)
postpone the carrying out of a punishment for a specific or indeterminate period, or (c) remit all or part of a punishment for every person convicted of a criminal offence.
