Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has directed the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice who doubles as Chairman prerogative of mercy to compile a list of deserving inmates for pardon.
The Governor gave this directive, on Thursday, when he paid a working visit to the Maximum Security Custodian Centre, (MSCC) Makurdi.
Gov. Ortom urged the Chief Judge of the State to use his position and identify those who are unjustly being incarcerated and those who could not afford to pay their fines for necessary action.
He opined that some of them, if given another chance could become better citizens.
The Governor who inspected the level of encroachment on the land belonging to the correction centre, also addressed the 423 inmates in the facility categorised into Inmates on Death Row, IDR also known as condemned, Awaiting Trial Persons, ATP, and convicts.
Ortom stated that during the COVID-19 Pandemic, 48 inmates were released under the directive of the Federal Government, adding that more would be released within the confines of the law.
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The Governor stated that he had supported inmates through payment of fines even before he became Governor, stressing that those in various cells across the country could make good leaders given the opportunity.
He directed the immediate completion of construction work at the Maximum Security Custodian Centre, Makurdi to decongest the existing cells.
He directed the Commissioner for Finance to immediately release funds for the completion of the project in record time.
Ortom said his administration would liaise with the community to see how best to stop further encroachment on the land saying that he had directed that no building should be cited on the virgin land any longer.
While addressing staff of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Governor acknowledged their sacrifices towards the success of the formation and pledged continuous support to enable them discharge their duties effectively.
The Benue State Comptroller of the Correctional Service, Amaka Nwonavi commended Gov. Ortom for visiting and for supporting them to succeed at their duties.
