By Emmanuel Antswen
GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia on Tuesday visited the minimum Correctional Centre Makurdi and granted pardon to six inmates serving at the facility.
Alia said that all the pardoned inmates were recommended by the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy headed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr Fidelis Mnyim.
The governor, who was represented by Mnyim, said that the released inmates would be empowered with various skills to be self-reliant.
Alia stated that he was empowered by Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) to do so.
He pointed out that through the council, inmates who have shown genuine change and remorse by exhibiting good character worthy to cohabit with other members of society may be pardoned.
“This action has no political influence attached to it but is based on the recommendation and testimonies of people cutting across the clergy and good-spirited individuals who interacted with the inmates personally,” he said.
The governor said his administration has made available programmes that are geared towards reforming and empowering the youths of the state.
He urged them to be of good conduct and take advantage of the Makurdi fashion hub to learn skills and other various interventions of his administration to better their lives.
The Benue Comptroller Nigeria Correctional Services, Mary Oche, appreciated the governor for using his good office to free six inmates from the correctional centre.
Oche charged the freed inmates to shun crime and embrace new life.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that among the six freed inmates is Umar Dansabe, who was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging 14 years ago for armed robbery.
Dansabe, who spoke with newsmen, thanked the governor for granting them pardon and promised to be of good conduct going forward. (NAN)
