Enugu: Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State has granted pardons to 11 inmates in Enugu to decongest correctional facilities in the state.
Mr Uche Anichukwu, the Senior Special Assistant to Mbah on External Relations, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Enugu.
Anichukwu said that the gesture was a step towards giving the beneficiaries another opportunity to live better lives as members of society.
He said the clemency beneficiaries were conveyed to the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kingsley Udeh, by the Chief of Staff to Mbah, Mr Victor Udeh.
According to Anichukwu, the beneficiaries are Ugochukwu Oma, Onah Nnamdi, Chiadikobi Onu, Emmanuel Sambo, Emeka Nyia, and Ngene Oluebube.
Others are Francis Chinecherem, Eze Chigozie, Anthony Tombari, Francis Chibuzor, and Uzoma Nnaoche.
He explained that the governor’s decision exercised his Prerogative of Mercy powers under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Anichukwu said: “It was also in consultation with the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“The decision was in concordance with reports of proven reform in character, ability to reintegrate with the society having possessed or learnt some productive skills.
“It followed the recommendations by the Correctional Services and the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
“The Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy draws membership from the Nigerian Correctional Service, Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), among other reputable justice sector institutions.”