Presidential committee pardons 13 inmates in Akwa Ibom

The Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms and Decongestion has granted pardon to 13 inmates in the Akwa Ibom Correctional Centre.

Chairman of the committee, Justice Ishaq Bello, disclosed this after the facility tour of the centre and attending to their case files in Uyo on Monday.

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Bello, who is also the chief judge of the High Court, Federal Capital Territory, said the inmates were released based on mandate given to the committee.

He said the pardon was based on grounds of ill -health and those who were convicted of minor offences with option of fines but were unable to pay, adding that the state government has magnanimously agreed to settle the fines on behalf of the convicted inmates and set them free.

“We have in our mandate to look at those who have over stayed the sentence year, the aged, ill health and those who committed minor offences and have options of fines but could not pay.

“The total inmates released are 13 from the correctional centre, out of this, 11 of them had their option of fine paid.
Two were released on grounds of ill health.

“I want to commend the comptroller for this show of diligence and competence in doing the job,” Bello said.

The chairman advised the released inmates to be of good conduct, not to involve in crimes that would likely bring them back to the correctional centre and urged them to associate with people of good character to be better citizens for themselves and the country.

He commended the comptroller for the cleanliness and good environment of the centre.