Today FM’s Uchendu Ejiowhor reports that eight inmates who are of capital offences including rape, murder and conspiracy but have spent five to ten years in custody were granted pardon while two minor offenders who have spent one to five years in custody were also granted pardon.
The process was however stopped by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simon Amadi after the ten inmates were released, following disparity in the list of suspects from DSS, EFCC, Department of Public Prosecution and others.
While explaining that the exercise is in pursuant to provision of the law and the need to decongest the Correctional facility, Justice Amadi directed Magistrates who are not on vacation to seat at the prison facility during vacation to sort out issues on the minor offenses and grant bail where necessary.
The Chief Judge however advised those granted pardon not to go back to criminal activities, as he assured that the exercise will continue on resumption from vacation.
The Controller of Corrections, Rivers State Command, Odita Alex commended the state government for the step which he said will help decongest the Correctional facility just as he requested the government to consider granting pardon to those with mental disorder as the facility is too small to accommodate them.
