Uzodimma Moves to Decongest Imo Prisons, Inaugurates State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy
GOVERNMENT OF IMO
STATE
PRESS RELEASE
Uzodimma Moves to Decongest
Imo Prisons, Inaugurates State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has inaugurated a nine-man State
Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy with a task to decongest the
correctional services in the state.
While
inaugurating members of the Committee at the Government
House, Owerri, on Friday, the Governor noted that on assumption of
office
he discovered that there were over 3,000 prison inmates in the State
Correctional Service located at Okigwe and Owerri, which he said is
outrageous.
He said following the development, the Correctional Service had
written to recommend that some of the inmates, especially those that are
not facing capital punishment and who have spent years on awaiting trial for
minimal crimes be granted pardon to decongest the centres.
Consequent upon this, Governor Uzodimma stated in
accordance with the constitution, he can only pardon inmates with the
recommendation of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, hence the
constitution of the Committee.
While tasking the committee members on honesty, objective
reasoning and commitment to duty, Governor Uzodimma charged them to do a
thorough job as regards inmates to be pardoned.
The governor noted that it has become exigent to reduce the
number of inmates serving sentences, especially now that there is a global
emergency of COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding on behalf of members of the Advisory Council, the
Chairman and the Attorney-General & Commissioner for Justice in the State,
Barrister Cyprian Akaolisa, stated that the committee comprises men
of proven and tested integrity.
The Attorney General assured that they won't betray the
trust reposed on then by the state government, promising that they will do the
job with sincerity of purpose.
Other members of the committee are; the Comptroller of
Correctional Service or his representative, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry
of Health, Dr. Gideon Nweze, Prince Lemmy Akakem, Rev.Ernest Dike, Barr.
Gabriel E. Obizo, Chief Bernard Anyanwu and Solicitor-General of Imo State as Secretary.
Ogueike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser (Gov.)
April 17, 2020
Picture:
Standing are Barr. C.O.C. Akaolisa, Attorney-General and Commissioner
for Justice with members of the Coincil
Comments
Post a Comment