President Muhammadu Buhari consented to free some individuals from correctional centres to reduce congestion, another report emerging at this time affirms that 2,600 inmates have been liberated.
Those eligible for the pardon include inmates that are 60 years and above; those suffering from ill-health likely to result 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.
Aregbesola noted in his statement at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja that the Federal Government has considered to let go of the 2,600 inmates as part of measures to decongest prison facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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.”
