By Amos Aar
THE NIGERIAN Correctional Service, Benue State Command, has appealed to Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to extend his amnesty to an inmate, Umaru Dan-Asabe, who is said to have a case of perforated testis which cannot be treated within the facility.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr Tersoo Kula, indicated that Assistant Comptroller of Corrections, Benue State Command, Mr Mathias Dzuzu, made the appeal when Governor Alia visited the Correctional Centre and granted pardon to 12 inmates following a recommendation of the Benue State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy headed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Fidelis Mnyim.
The governor’s decision, Mr Kula said, was in line with the powers granted him by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), adding that the gesture was aimed at decongesting the facility housing five hundred and twenty-five (525) of those convicted and awaiting trials.
The governor reportedly directed Mr Mnyim to increase the number of members of the advisory council, to hasten processes for effective administration of Justice.
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The commissioner, Fidelis Mnyim, disclosed that the released inmates were from Makurdi, Otukpo and Gboko correctional facilities.
The state comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Mrs Mary Oche, who appreciated the efforts of the government in ensuring that the inmates did not stay in the correctional centre more than necessary pointed out that Governor Alia had given transportation fares to the inmates to get to their respective destinations and enjoy the New Year with their loved ones.
Responding, one of the released inmates, Barnabas Apaav, thanked the governor on behalf of others and promised to henceforth exhibit good behaviour as they return to the society. He also thanked the governor for having mercy on them and promised not to go into criminal acts again.
Among the 12 inmates pardoned was Dennis Terwase Yogbo, who was dismissed from the state civil service in 1995 due to an offence that led to his imprisonment.
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The governor, having listened to Yogbo’s case, directed that his dismissal be reversed and converted to termination of appointment. Yogbo made it known that he had been in bondage for 28 years and was seeking solution to no avail until Governor Alia came to his rescue following the recommendation of the council on prerogative of mercy that reviewed his case.
