Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has granted pardon to 16 prison inmates at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) Makurdi.
Governor Ortom who was represented at the ceremony by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa disclosed that the decision to pardon the inmates was based on the directive of the Federal Government as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor urged the inmates to avoid the mistakes that sent them to prison as they have been given a second chance to be good citizens.
He charged the inmates to enter the new year as reformed people and help in moulding the character of members of their family and community to stay away from crime
The governor’s decision followed the recommendation made by the Benue State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
Earlier, the Assistant Controller, Nigerian Correctional Service, Makurdi, Dr. Alhaji Thomas appreciated Governor Ortom, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa and the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy for coming to the aid of the inmates, as the act will also decongest the prison.
Responding on behalf of the other pardoned inmates, Mr Sani Alhassan appreciated Governor Ortom for fulfilling his promise to free more inmates during his last visit to the Correctional Center.
He added that he has been in prison since 2008 and he was happy going home, assuring the governor that he and the other inmates are now reformed people.
Out of the 16 inmates, 11 are those who couldn’t pay the option of fine during their conviction and the government has decided to pay their fines, while 5 are those who have few months to complete their prison sentence.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was accompanied to the ceremony by the Secretary to the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Gbande Ayangebee, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, in the Benue State Ministry of Justice, Peter Ukande and other staff of the Ministry of Justice.
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