By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has granted pardon to twelve prison inmates in the state , who were serving various jail terms at the Nigeria Correctional Center, Makurdi.
In the same vein, the Governor during the visit to the Correctional Center Makurdi, granted state pardon to Mr Dennis Yogbo, who was dismissed from the state Civil Service, 28 years ago, thereby converting his dismissal to termination of appointment.
The Governor took this decision in line with the recommendation of Benue State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, headed by the Attorney General and Commissioner in charge of Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Barr Fidelis Mnyim.
Governor Alia, who Implored the pardoned inmates to be of good behavior as they reintegrate into the society, admonished them to utilize the skills they have acquired while in confinement to better their lives.
He counseled the released inmates. ” Give your society the very best, and as for the gentleman whose dismissal has been converted to termination of appointment, don’t take any element of life for granted, demonstrate your newness into the society.”
He noted that the act of Mercy was granted based on the present administration’s desire to offer the best to the people of Benue State, expressing worry that most of the inmates were young persons who ordinarily should not be anywhere near the prison.
” This should not be home for them. I was quite shocked to see the faces of many young people here, there are a total of 525 inmates including 25 females, one with a baby while some came in with pregnancy.”
In his remarks, the Attorney General and Commissioner Ministry of Justice and Public Order, Barr Fidelis Mnyim, disclosed that the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, was done in line with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution.
