COVID-29: Buhari writes Ortom to release 20 inmates from correctional centre
*Gov pays fine for 26 other inmates
President Muhammadu Buhari has written to the Benue state Governor, Samuel Ortom, to release 20 inmates from the Makurdi Minimum Correctional Centre as part of efforts to decongest the centre and fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The president said the move was also due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country which is now a global pandemic.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusah, who disclosed this in Makurdi explained that the federal government has sent a list of the recommended 20 inmates to be set free from the correctional centre in the state.
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He stated that state governor has paid the fine of 26 other inmates who were convicted with an option of fine, but were unable to pay their fines.
According to the commissioner, apart from the payment of fines, the governor also directed that the state committee on the prerogative of mercy should visit all the correctional centres in the state to look out for convicts who are old, sick or nursing mothers and make recommendations to him for necessary action.
The attorney general, who charged people of the state to obey the social distancing directive to avoid contracting COVID-19, directed security agents especially the police to enforce all measures put in place to check the outbreak of the pandemic in the state.
He condemned motorists who are violating the partial curfew by travelling in the night and urged the police to arrest and prosecute all offenders.
Public Relations Officer for the Nigeria Correctional Center, Benue state Command, Mr. Steve Nwanchu said those to be released are the ones whose finey are below N50,000 or have served 25 per cent of their jail term, are aged or sick.
He pointed out that as soon as the process was competed, those to be released will be sent home to reunite with their families, saying that with the release, the number of inmates will be reduced from the already overcrowded facility which has the capacity for only 240, but is at the moment housing 364 inmates.
Meanwhile, an Area Court judge, Mr. Aondohemba Gwar has sentenced a 35- year -old man, Denen Iordye to six months in prison or pay a fine of N5,000 for stealing a handset valued at N35,000.
The convict pleaded guilty to the charge and begged the court to temper justice with mercy as the presiding judge while sentencing the convict, advised him to find a genuine way to earn a living.
