Agency Reporter
No fewer than 74 inmates were freed in Bayelsa, Plateau and Kaduna states on Thursday.
Sixty-three were freed in Plateau, eight in Bayelsa and three in Kaduna.
The Nigerian Correctional Service spokesman in Plateau, Martha Banda, said the amnesty was in line with the Federal Government’s decision to decongest the custodial centres to contain the spread of coronavirus.
“In an effort to decongest correctional facilities in Plateau, Governor Simon Lalong graciously approved the request of the Controller-General of the Correctional Service and granted amnesty to 57 state offenders.
“The Federal Government also granted amnesty to six inmates, bringing the number to 63 prisoners who are affected across the seven custodial centres in Plateau,” she said.
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In Bayelsa, the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, granted pardon to eight awaiting trial inmates.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Abiri pardoned the inmates while performing Jail Delivery Exercise yesterday to decongest the correctional centre amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Five of the inmates were released immediately; three others were granted bail.
The CJ also donated food items and toiletries to inmates as palliatives in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
She said: “Some who have stayed almost the period they could have served if convicted, may be released.
“Any inmate so released is advised to turn a new leaf and become useful to themselves and the society at large.”
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