In line with the directive of the Federal Government on the decongestion of correctional facilities in the country to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Osun State government on Sunday, granted clemency to 34 inmates.
This was contained in a press statement signed and made available to newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital, by Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
According to the statement, 17 of the 34 inmates were granted amnesty by Governor Oyetola, while the others were pardoned by the Federal Government.
It added that the inmates were considered for amnesty on grounds of old age, ill health, sentence of three years and above with less than six months left to serve, fine of less than N50, 000 and inmates who have spent 75 percent of their remaining sentences after remission and fine of less than N50, 000 with inability to pay among others.
The statement read:” You will recall that the federal government had directed that all custodial centers be decongested to avoid the spread of Coronavirus in the county.
“To decongest correctional facilities in Osun, Governor Oyetola has graciously approved the request of the Controller-General of the Correctional Service and granted amnesty to 17 state offenders.
“The federal government also granted amnesty to 17 inmates, bringing the number to 34 prisoners who are affected in two custodial centers in Osun.
“But those who were convicted over violent offences like murder, armed robbery, terrorism, kidnapping, and rape did not benefit from the amnesty.”
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said at a press conference recently that President Muhammadu Buhari, had approved the release of 2,600 prisoners across Nigeria to kick-start the decongestion process.
