Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has set free over 100 prisoners in the various Correctional Services in the State.
The Governor granted the inmates the State pardon on Friday.
The reason for the amnesty is yet to be known as at press time.
According to the statement made available to newsmen by the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. (Mrs.) Uju Nwogu.
She said that Governor Obiano granted amnesty to over 100 prisoners serving various prison sentences in the State.
Commissioner Nwogu, said that the reprieve was granted to those who met the stipulated criteria under the law, such as those who have served more than half of their sentences and are of good behaviour.
Others are inmates convicted of simple offences and are of good behaviour, aged inmates who are over sixty-five years, inmates who are very sick, suffering from infectious and terminal diseases, inmates who have almost served out their terms and those whose sentences also have options of fine.
Dr. Nwogu charged the beneficiaries to be of good behaviour when they rejoin the society.
Pundits believe that the Anambra State Government may have decided to free prisoners to avoid or avert the the likely situation in its closet State, Imo State where rampaging gunmen razed the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and the Federal Correctional Service in Owerri, freeing thousands of inmates.
