TheCable

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, has pardoned 12 prisoners who were serving jail terms at various correctional facilities in Makurdi, the state capital.

Alia approved the release of the inmates during his visit to the centres on Sunday.

The governor also pardoned one Dennis Yogbo, who was dismissed from the state civil service about 28 years ago, and turned his sack to termination of appointment.

He said the action was based on the recommendation of the Benue advisory council on the prerogative of mercy headed by Fidelis Mnyim, state attorney-general and commissioner for justice and public order.

He said his administration is committed to giving the best to the people of Benue, adding that the released prisoners must adopt good behavior and take advantage of the skills learned in prison for proper reintegration.

“Give your society the very best. And as for the gentleman whose dismissal has been converted to termination of appointment, don’t take any elements of life for granted; demonstrate your newness into your society,” he said.

Alia expressed concern that most of the pardoned inmates were young people “who ordinarily should not be anywhere near the prison”.

“This should not be home for them. I was quite shocked to see the faces of many young people here, where there are a total of 525 inmates including 25 females, one with a baby, while some came in with pregnancy,” the governor added.

Also speaking, Mnyim said the 8-man committee he headed did a rigorous job before recommending inmates for pardon.

He said the selection was done in line with Section 212 of the 1999 constitution.

The attorney-general added that those granted pardon were pulled out from correctional facilities in Makurdi, Otukpo and Gboko.