9 inmates at the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Okaka in Yenagoa have been granted amnesty by the Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri.
The governor made the pronouncement today (Tuesday) when he visited the centre said it was his constitutional duty to grant amnesty to inmates based on recommendations from the Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.
Addressing the freed inmates, Sen. Diri advised them to change their ways and become responsible members of society.
He expressed displeasure over the number of inmates in custody, saying that the only way the centre can be decongested was through a reduction in crime in the state.
Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, explained that as the Chief Judge, her power to release prisoners was limited to “not too serious cases” that have lingered, but that only the governor had the constitutional power to grant amnesty.
The Chief Judge expressed delight while noting that this was the first time under her tenure that a governor of the state was physically carrying out the exercise and appreciated Governor Diri for granting amnesty to inmates and decongesting the prison which was a concern to the Chief Justice of the Federation.
Reporting by Alambo Datonye; editing by Muzha Kucha