Benue State Governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, has granted pardon to 12 prison inmates, who were serving various jail terms at the Nigeria Correctional Center, Makurdi.
During the visit at the center, the Governor also granted state pardon to Dennis Yogbo, who was dismissed from the State Civil Service about 28 years ago.
Under the arrangement, the dismissal that was slammed on Yogbo has been converted to termination of appointment, instead of dismissal.
The Governor took the decision 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, Fidelis Mnyim.
While admonishing the released inmates to be of good behaviour as they re-integrate into the larger society, Governor Alia, urged them to make use of the skills acquired while in confinement to better their lot.
He noted further that the act of mercy was granted based on his administration’s desire to offer the best to the people of Benue, even as he was worried that most of the inmates were young persons who ordinarily should not be anywhere near the prison.
There are a total of 525 inmates including 25 females, one with a baby, while some came in with pregnancy.
The Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Fidelis Mnyim, told the governor that the 8-man Committee he headed by him, did a thorough duty before recommending those that were granted pardon, in line with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution for offences they committed against the state.
He explained further that the inmates granted pardon were drawn from Makurdi, Otukpo and Gboko correctional facilities.
