Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has approved the pardon, release and commutation of sentences of 13 inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres across the state as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The governor exercised the Prerogative of Mercy under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, following consultation with the Enugu State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

According to a statement issued on Independence Day by the governor’s media aide, Uche Anichukwu, the approval was conveyed to the Comptroller of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command, by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Osinachi Nnajieze.

The beneficiaries are Kenneth Ozioko, Moses Saliyat, Promise Ndudim Olung, Chijioke Ugwu, Samuel Ani and Eugene Odo.

Others are Celsus Emeachi, Caleb Jatto, Calistus Eze, Gabriel Onu, Timothy Ani, Ernest Okeke and Ejike Nwodo.

The statement said some of the inmates were granted outright pardon and released, while the sentences of others, including death sentences, were commuted to life imprisonment.

Mbah’s decision followed reports of ill health and evidence of reform in character among some of the beneficiaries, as well as recommendations from the Correctional Service to the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

The council is chaired by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and includes representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO), the Catholic Institute for Development, Justice and Peace (CIDJAP), and other reputable bodies within the justice sector.

The governor’s action is in accordance with Section 212(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers a state governor to grant pardons, respite the execution of punishments, substitute less severe forms of punishment or remit whole or part of a punishment imposed for an offence under state law.

Section 212(2) of the Constitution provides that the governor shall exercise the powers under subsection (1) after consultation with an advisory council on the Prerogative of Mercy established by state law.

The latest exercise of the Prerogative of Mercy forms part of the state government’s efforts to support rehabilitation and reintegration within the correctional system.