96 inmates get pardon in Kogi, Benue

TRACKING____Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello on Wednesday pardoned 50 inmates.

He said it was in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus.

The governor said: “To curtail or avoid the spread of Covid-19 in the Nigerian Correctional Services facilities, the administration is embarking on this exercise once again to reduce the number of inmates.

“This step has become imperative to reduce overcrowding in our Correctional Centres in compliance with the social and physical distancing policies which are the new paradigms in the era of COVID-19.

“Accordingly, this current exercise takes cognisance of the protocols of prevention for the pandemic and thus broadens the scope of beneficiaries.

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“It also necessitates the exercise of our prerogative of mercy to a larger group of internees than usual.

“In all cases, we took scrupulous steps to make sure that only persons who meet the lawful criteria are considered.”

In Benue State, 46 prison inmates regained their freedom.

Those released include the aged, the sick, those about to complete their jail terms as well as those who were granted bail but could not meet the conditions.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Michael Gusa, told The Nation that the inmates were at Correctional facilities in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo. He said the Chief Judge reviewed some cases.

According to him, Governor Emmanuel Ortom has directed that more inmates be pardoned and that it will be a routine exercise.