Ekiti State Government says all is set for the release of ‘low risk’ inmates of the Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre, to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, told reporters on Monday in Ado- Ekiti that Governor Kayode Fayemi had directed the Ministry of Justice to convene a meeting of the state’s Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy to that effect.

“The governor is concerned about the possible impact of COVID-19 at the Ado Ekiti Correctional Centre.

“He has, therefore, directed that additional measures be taken to decongest the facility,” the attorney-general said.

He noted that persons in detention were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 outbreak.

“The step will not only help protect the prisoners, but also workers of the correctional centre, lawyers and others who provide support to the facility.

“The Ministry of Justice will compile a list of identified prisoners for the consideration of the meeting of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy slated for tomorrow.

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“We will focus on prisoners on pre-trial detention for minor or low risk offences,” Fapohunda said.

He said the ministry would collaborate with the Nigerian Bar Association, the National Human Rights Commission, Legal Aid Council as well as Civil Society Organisations working on prisoners’ rights in the exercise.

The commissioner for justice added that the measure was to ensure that no deserving inmate was left behind.

Kwara State Government said yesterday that it would grant pardon to nursing mothers and aged persons, among others, at the four correctional centres.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Salman Jawondo, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in llorin, said that those to be pardoned at the centres in Ilorin, Mandalla, Omuaran and Lafiagi were also those who committed minor offences.

He said aged inmates in bad state of health as confirmed by a qualified medical practitioner and those who have nearly completed their jail terms will benefit from the government’s gesture.

The commissioner said the gesture was in consonance with the Federal Government’s directive to states in the quest to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Jawondo, who did not specify the number of those to be freed, said the pardon would involve awaiting trial inmates and convicts.

He said the exercise would be carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, judiciary and religious leaders.