The Nigerian Correctional Service said so far 3751 inmates have set free across the country following President Muhammadu Buhari’s pardon of the inmates in April.
A statement from the Public Relation Officer of the service Mr Augustine Njoku said some awaiting trial inmates benefitted from the list of fresh inmates pardoned by some State Governments.
Njoku said a total of 1,011 Awaiting Trial inmates have been released so far as they met the criteria set by the government.
He recalled that the President had ordered the decongestion of detention centres in the country to sustain the fight against spread of COVID-19.
According to him : “Consequently, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Minister of Interior on 9th April, 2020 during the flag-off of the Presidential amnesty at Medium Security Custodial Centre Kuje-Abuja announced that a total of 2,600 will benefit from the release by 36 states and Federal Capital Territory.
“However some states Chief Judges during the jail delivery processes granted bail/release to some awaiting trial persons cumulating in the release of 3,751 inmates so far.
“The NCoS wishes to state that the process is ongoing, as other measures are in place to ensure continuity and the final figures will be made public at the end of the exercise.
“A breakdown of the release shows that 2,740 convicts and 1011 Awaiting Trial Inmates have so far benefited from the exercise.
“The Controller General of Corrections Ja’afaru Ahmed wishes to use this medium to express his profound gratitude to all the State Governors, Chief Judges and other stakeholders in the Criminal Justice System who have work tirelessly to carry out this exercise and encourage its continuity.”
He assured all inmates qualified for the amnesty and jail delivery will be released accordingly.
