₦airaland Forum

The Federal Government on Thursday granted amnesty to no fewer than 2,600 inmates as part of measures to decongest prison facilities in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this at an ongoing press conference at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja.

He said at least 70 inmates, who are serving various terms for crimes against the society, would be processed and released later today.

Aregbesola said the affected inmates include inmates that are 60years and above; those suffering from ill-health likely to terminate in death; convicts serving three years and above and have less than six months to serve; inmates with mental issues; and inmates with an option of fine not exceeding N50,000.

He said, “In a symbolic gesture of the amnesty given to the 2,600 inmates across Nigeria, 41 Federal inmates and 29 FCT inmates making a total of 70 inmates who met the above criteria will be released today from the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja.

“This amnesty will not apply to inmates sentenced for violent extreme offences such as terrorism, kidnapping, armed banditry, rape, human trafficking, culpable homicide and so on.

“The Governors of the 36 states under whose jurisdiction most of the inmates were incarcerated will complete the exercise in line with the federal principle.”

https://punchng.com/breaking-covid-19-fg-grants-amnesty-to-2600-prisoners/
Lalasticlala
Mynd44

If oshiomole is behind it, then there is an ulterior motive and it is probably corrupt. What is the point in this? Prisoners are already quarantined. They should be in one of the safest places there is. Releasing convicted felons is about one of the dumbest things I ever heard of, they are in prison because they are a threat to society , politicians live in walled homes with armed security , what about us, and they want to take our safety that we have to defend ourselves, family and homes, but they are not giving up their armed guards ! What a great idea! Now that regular people are trapped at home, release all the prison and jail residents to rob and break into all. They're in jail for being a threat..... no re-do or Monday quarterback.
If they didnt follow rules like no kill, no steal, no assault.... think they'll comply to social distancing or wearing a mask??

Looking forward to see the following names on the list:

1. Orji Uzor Kalu
2. Joshua Dariye
3. Jolly Nyame

All ex-governors and convicts.

[img]https://media./images/f1d65d72fafb1c4ca260f17f138ea132/tenor.gif[/img]

Yenefer:
If oshiomole is behind it, then there is an ulterior motive and it is probably corrupt. What is the point in this? Prisoners are already quarantined. They should be in one of the safest places there is. Releasing convicted felons is about one of the dumbest things I ever heard of, they are in prison because they are a threat to society , politicians live in walled homes with armed security , what about us, and they want to take our safety that we have to defend ourselves, family and homes, but they are not giving up their armed guards ! What a great idea! Now that regular people are trapped at home, release all the prison and jail residents to rob and break into all. They're in jail for being a threat..... no re-do or Monday quarterback.
If they didnt follow rules like no kill, no steal, no assault.... think they'll comply to social distancing or wearing a mask??

On the contrary it is actually the best news about corona virus in Nigeria so far. Prison in Nigeria are over crowded. How do their achieve the principle of social distancing? To say alot of inmates are still awaiting trials. The risk is low for the categories of inmates released. I my self some times last year to volunteered to pay someone's fine but those prison officials wanted to kolobi my money. 60 years and above are high risk of Corona. Where is the humanity in you. You dont always have to repay evil with evil.

well its one of the best thing a good government should do at this period,this should help relieve some prison of over crowding

Government should introduce PAROLE into our criminal justice system. A prison inmate can earn an early supervised release if he has served more than half of his sentence, he is of good behaviour or if young, has applied himself to and making impresdive progress in academic pursuits. Routinely granting parole to deserving prisoners will reduce overcrowding gradually over the years.

Good gesture anyways

HundHunter:
Looking forward to see the following names on the list:

1. Orji Uzor Kalu
2. Joshua Dariye
3. Jolly Nyame

All ex-governors and convicts.

if they all are above 60 then its okay.