Ex-Edo Gov, Obaseki pardons I5 convicts in Benin Correctional Centre

The immediate past governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki as part of gifts to inmates in the Nigerian Correctional Services in the State granted pardon to 15 inmates.

DAILY POST recalls that the outgone governor had on Monday in the twilight of his administration in exercise of his prerogative of mercy granted pardon to 10 inmates with less than one year to serve their terms in correctional centres in the State.

A statement by Aminu Suleman, Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service,
Edo State Command said other 14 inmates benefitted from the former governor’s gesture.

Suleman said the former Governor signed the warrants for the release of the inmates in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and all other enabling laws following the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, ACPM.

He said the inmates were pardoned on grounds of the nature offence committed, age, duration of stay in custody, health condition, the reformation and rehabilitation of the inmates while in custody among others.

“The ACPM is saddled with the responsibility to review requests for pardon with considerations given to the nature of the offence committed, age, duration of stay in custody, health condition, the reformation and rehabilitation of the inmates while in custody”, he said.

The command image maker, quoted the Controller of Corrections Edo State Command Philomena Emehinola, as expressing gratitude to the outgone governor on behalf of the Controller General of Corrections Haliru Nababa for the kind gesture towards the inmates.

He said the Controller of Corrections Edo State Command opined that the pardon granted to the inmates would further aid the reformative and rehabilitative programs of the Custodial Centres.

The controller of Corrections Edo State Command, however, admonished the beneficiaries to ensure they give good accounts of themselves as they return to the society thereby justifying their release from custody.

She also appealed to the general public not to stigmatize ex-offender but to accept them, give them a second chance and accord them whatever assistance that they maybe required.