Five prisoners receive state pardon

ANAMBRA State Governor, Willie  Obiano has granted reprieve to five prisoners  from the Anambra State Prisons to mark the New Year celebration..

  This was contained in the notification letter  from the Executive  Secretary,  State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy,  Mrs Nkolika Anumonye to the Commissioner for Information,  C.Don Adunuba,  and made available to National Light.

  A copy of the memo signed by the Attorney –General and Chairman, State Advisory  Council on Prerogative  of Mercy,  Dr. Uju Nwogu  reads,  ” as usual,  on the celebration of New Year Day,  state governors are called upon to consider and grant reprieve  to qualified prisoners  to mark the occasion.

  “Therefore,  based on a laid down guideline by the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy,  I wrote to the Controllers in Anambra  and Enugu States  Prisons Commands to forward the lists of convicts who come within the stipulated guidelines.”

  The prisoners who received  pardon included,  Osinachi Eze,  Aguata Prison,  charge no MU/84C/18, from Izzi,  Ebonyi State.  Offence committed was stealing. He was considered on age grounds of 17 years.  Chibuzor Chukwudi , Nnewi Prison , charge no MIH/218C/18, from Eziamanike Amanuke,  Anambra State.  Offence  committed, stealing. Chibuzor was considered  because  he showed signs of remorse and the complainant,  Maduakorsim wrote to confirm that he has forgiven him. He also came in person to meet with the council to give a clear view of what really  transpired and told the council that he has forgiven him.

  John Paul Nsofor Chinasa,  Nnewi Prison,  charge no MIH/254C/18 , from Ihiala,  Anambra State. Offence committed, unlawful escape.

   Another convict from Nnewi Prison was; Uwandu Daniel, charge no NMC/488C/18  from Ugwuta 11, Imo State. Offence  committed  was stealing. John Paul and Daniel were considered because  they  have served more than half of their jail terms.

  The fifth convict, Basil Okon from Onitsha Prison, charge no MGB/40C/16 hails from  Ikot-Ekpene,  Akwa Ibom State. His offence was stealing. He was considered because  he has served more than half of his jail terns and was confirmed by the prison warders to be of good behavior.

  The memo stated that,” the Controllers of Prisons in Anambra and Enugu States  sent their lists containing  the names of inmates within Anambra and Enugu States jurisdictions and upon receipt,  the Advisory Council  on Prerogative  of Mercy visited Oji River, Nsukka,  Ibite-Olo,  Enugu,  Abakiliki,  Awka,  Aguata,  Nnewi  and Onitsha Prisons. The inmates were interviewed and the sick ones examined  by the Council Doctor,  Dr S. I.  Akpati”.

  It also stated that Anambra  Prison command forwarded a list of 205 convicts and five were pardoned.  While Enugu Maximum Prison and Awka Prison were also considered but none was recommended.  

  On the consideration of cases, the memo disclosed that on Thursday December 5,  2019, the council met and considered some inmates after which it recommended  to the governor that the five aforementioned  inmates  be granted reprieve on January  1, 2020.