A total of 2,600 inmates have been granted pardon and amnesty in the custodial centres across Nigeria.
This was made known by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola during a media conference to flag-off the 2020 Presidential Pardon and Clemency in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
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Among those granted state pardon are ex-convicts including late nationalist, Anthony Enahoro and former Governor of old Bendel State, Professor Ambrose Ali. Others are Lieutenant-Colonel Moses Effiong, Major E.J. Olanrewaju and Ajayi Olusola Babalola among others.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice , Abubakar Malami at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abujs said the state pardon was part of measures put in place by the Federal Government to ensure speedy decongestion of the correctional centres towards the control of Coronavirus pandemic.
Malami further explained the criteria approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in the selection of inmates for the Presidential Pardon and Clemency.
He said President Buhari had requested that attention be laid on the aged especially those with terminal health issues, low risk offenders as well as the payment of fines for convicts of lesser offences with option of fines.
He added that the President granted pardon and clemency to deserving inmates and ex-convicts in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Malami however warned all the beneficiaries of the Presidential Pardon and Clemency to desist from crime and be of good behaviour while they make proper use of the training and empowerment given to them while in custody.
The Minister further urged the communities and general public to avoid stigmatisation and discrimination of beneficiaries as they properly reintegrate into the society.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
