54 inmates in four correctional facilities in Anambra state has been granted freedom by Governor Willie Obiano.
The gesture is in the exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy granted the governor in Section 212 of the Nigerian constitution.
Governor Obiano announced this on Saturday in a special broadcast on the COVID-19 challenge and efforts of the state government towards addressing the challenge.
The governor noted that the world is going through an extraordinary time, a moment that calls for acts that will renew and restore the people’s faith in humanity.
“It is as a result of this that I have decided to exercise my Prerogative of Mercy and release 54 prisoners from the four correctional facilities in Anambra State. I hope that this decision will not only bring hope and joy to some families but that it will also help to decongest our correctional facilities,” the governor said.
On the recent killing of a citizen at Nkpor, Obiano appealed to Anambra citizens to refrain from anything that would lead to a head-on collision with the police, calling on the police to adopt best practices in dealing with the challenges that the difficult moment demands.
“The clash between a group of youths and some security operatives at Nkpor that resulted in the unfortunate death of one person and injuries to others is extremely regrettable. It is one avoidable incident which we must not permit to happen to us again. The Government of Anambra State will foot the medical bills of the injured as well as underwrite the burial costs of the deceased. May the soul of the departed young man rest in perfect peace,” he prayed.
The governor also announced palliatives to youths in the state to cushion the effect of the lockdown.
“This administration has always prioritized the youths in all our activities. It is on account of this that we have decided to extend a similar gesture we gave to senior citizens above 70 years to Anambra youths this time around. In specific terms, we shall soon be handing out 400 bags of rice per community to each of the 181 communities in Anambra State. The bags of rice shall be distributed to the youths of these communities through the same channels that were used in distributing the ones meant for the senior citizens. It is my fervent hope that this gesture will go a long way in alleviating the pains of COVID-19 on our youths,” he said.
