Backed by section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has granted clemency to eleven 11 inmates in Correctional Centres in the state.
The beneficiaries of the clemency, as conveyed to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Enugu state, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh, Ugochukwu Oma, Onah Nnamdi, Chiadikobi Onu, Emmanuel Sambo, Emeka Nyia, and Ngene Oluebube.
Others are Francis Chinecherem, Eze Chigozie, Anthony Tombari, Francis Chibuzor, and Uzoma Nnaoche.
Governor Mbah revealed that granting clemency to the 11 inmates was a step towards decongesting the correctional facilities, giving the beneficiaries another opportunity to live a better life as members of society, and implementing recommendations of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
“The decision was also in concordance with reports of proven reform in character, ability to reintegrate with the society having possessed or learnt some productive skills, and following recommendations by the Correctional Services and the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice,” Governor Mbah revealed.
Organizational members of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy include the Nigerian Correctional Service, Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organization (CAPIO), the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), and other reputable justice sector institutions.
Meanwhile, the Enugu state Governor, fulfilling his campaign promise to lift even the vulnerable out of poverty, inaugurated the Management Board for the Protection of State-owned Social Homes.
Inaugurating the Board at the Government House, Enugu, Governor Mbah said his administration is interested in humanity as the state is as good as her weakest link.
“We cannot leave the vulnerable in our society out or behind. What we have pledged is an inclusive prosperity, inclusive economic growth, and that growth and prosperity should be measured by how we treat the very vulnerable ones in our society. That is why I am so excited that we have the sort of resources, a pool of people with great reputation, experience, and work ethic to serve on this Board.”
The governor further assured that the government will make available to the board every necessity needed to turn the state’s social protection homes around so that people in these social homes live in comfort and dignity.
In her speech after the inauguration, the Board Chairman and wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, assures of readiness to bring the state social protection homes to an enviable standard, even as she calls on her fellow board members not to rest on their laurels but discharge their responsibilities with all diligence.
Members of the Board are: the Enugu State First Lady, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, Chairman; Reverend Father Prof. Christian Anieke, Co-Chairman; Rev. Canon Chibuike Okolo, Vice Chairman; the Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, representing the Ministry.
Other members of the Board include Rev. Sr. Mary Gloria Iloka, Rev. Sr. Veritas Onyemelukwe, Pastor Elias Anyigbo, Mrs. Anna Igbokwe, and Barr. Chidinma Egeonu; Barrister Uzoama Okeji is the Executive Secretary of the Board.
