The Delta Government has granted amnesty to 150 convicts in the custodial centres of the Nigerian Correctional Services across the state as part of the measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Mr. Timothy Agbaragu, the Public Relations Officer, Delta State High Court, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday.
According to the amnesty was granted by the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Marshal Umukoro.
Mr. Agbaragu said 49 inmates were released from Warri Custodial Center, 46 from Agbor Custodial Centre, 27 from Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre while 25 and three were pardoned at Kwale and Sapele Custodial Centres, respectively.
The pardoned convicts were cautioned not to return to crime as their release did not obliterate their criminal records.
He stated that the pardon was in line with the directive of the Presidential Committee on Decongestion of Custodial Centres.
The CJ said that the directive mandated the state Governors, through the Chief Judges of the states, to identify and release the deserving inmates.
Umukoro said the criteria for pardon included inmates who were 60 years and above, those with mental health issues, inmates with the option of fine not exceeding N50,000 and have no pending case, and children staying with their mother.
He said that the convicted inmates with minor offenses and those who had spent 75 percent of their remaining sentences after remission were also included.
The CJ said fresh convicts did not benefit from the pardon since they had just served a few months, although their names were on the list compiled from Abuja.
He said releasing such inmates on mere ground of COVID-19 would be insensitive to the feelings of the victims, state, and society, stressing that the compassion was meant for only deserving convicts.
He said that those convicted for serious crimes such as murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, and aggravated offenses inimical to society, should apply to the Committee of Prerogative of Mercy for amnesty. (NAN)
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