The Chief Judge of Delta state, Justice Marshal Umukoro has set free 73 inmates from the Ogwashi-Uku and Agbor Correctional Centres in the state.
Justice Umukoro spoke with journalists shortly after event, stating that the act was part of a measure to curtail the spread of the dreaded novel coronavirus in the state.
He disclosed that the categories of inmates qualified for pardon included inmates who are 60 years and above.
The chief judge also stated that inmates with health issues likely to terminate in death and inmates with minor offenses were considered for the pardon.
According to him, inmates who have less than 3 years term left to serve having served a substantial term were also considered.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a breakdown of the beneficiaries showed that
45 male inmates and 1 female inmate were released at the Correctional centre in Agbor, while 27 male inmates where set free at the Correctional centre in Ogwashi – Uku.
The Controller of Corrections, Delta State command, Mr Friday Esezobor, who spoke on behalf of the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed, urged the released inmates to be of good behaviour.
He advised them not to return to crime and criminality, but rather channel their time and energy into a productive ventures.
Esezobor expressed the NCS’s appreciation to the state government for the kind gesture.