Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has inaugurated a nine-man State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy with the task to decongest the correctional services in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration on Saturday, the governor described as “outrageous” the number of over 3,000 inmates in the custodial centers in the state upon his assumption of office.
He said the decision to set up the council followed recommendations from the Correctional Service to release some inmates, especially those who were not facing criminal charges and who had spent years on awaiting trial for minimal crimes.
The governor however, stated that in accordance with the constitution, he could only pardon inmates with the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
He tasked the committee members on honesty, objective reasoning and commitment to duty in carrying out the assignment.
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Uzodinma also noted that it had become exigent to reduce the number of inmates serving sentences, especially with the global emergency of COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding on behalf of members of the Advisory Council, Chairman of the council and Attorney-General of the State, Mr. Cyprian Akaolisa, said that the committee comprised of men of proven and tested integrity.
He promised that they would not betray the trust reposed on them by the state government while promising that they would do the job with sincerity of purpose.
Other members of the committee are the Controller of Owerri Custodial Center in Imo, Mr. Seye Oguntan, and the Permanent Secretary, Imo Ministry of Health, Dr. Anthony Igwe.
Others are Dr. Gideon Nweze, Prince Lemmy Akakem, Rev. Ernest Dike, Mr. Gabriel Obizo, Chief Bernard Anyanwu and Solicitor-General of Imo, Mrs. Chinyere Ibe as the Secretary.
NAN
