Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has granted amnesty to 12 inmates at the Correctional Centre in the state as part of the New Year’s celebrations.
The governor granted pardon to the inmates on Sunday, explaining that the reason for granting pardon was to decongest the prison. He stated that the inmates were released based on the recommendation of the Benue State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy headed by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim.
The governor charged the released inmates to be of good behaviour as they step out of prison to integrate with the society and to make use of the skills acquired while in custody to better their lives.
According to him, “Give your society the very best. And as for the gentleman whose dismissal has been converted to termination of appointment, don’t take any elements of life for granted.
“Demonstrate your newness into your society.”
Alia added that the act of mercy was premised on his administration’s desire to offer the best to people of the state just as he expressed worries that most of the inmates were young persons who shouldn’t be anywhere near the prison.
He added, “I will make provision for better welfare for you here but this shouldn’t be home for you, I am quite shocked to see the faces of many young people here where there are a total of 525 inmates including 25 females – one with a baby, others who came in with pregnancy.
The Governor also directed the Attorney General of the state to increase the number of members of the advisory council, to hasten the processes for effective administration of Justice.
Responding on behalf of other inmates, Barnabas Apaav, thanked the governor and promised they would be of good behaviour as they go back to the society.
Among the 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.
The Governor who listened to Yogbo travail directed that his dismissal be reversed and converted to termination of appointment.
Yogbo, who thanked the governor for his magnanimity, explained that he had been in bondage for 28 years.
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