Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
The Federal Government on Thursday granted amnesty to no fewer than 2,600 inmates as part of measures to decongest prison facilities in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this at a conference at the headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Abuja.
He said at least 70 inmates, who are serving various terms for crimes against the society, would be processed and released.
Aregbesola said the affected inmates include inmates that are 60years and above; those suffering from ill-health likely to terminate 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.
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.
“The Governors of the 36 states under whose jurisdiction most of the inmates were incarcerated will complete the exercise in line with the federal principle.”
On his Facebook page, Aregbesola said today at a World Press Conference announcing Amnesty to 2,600 inmates of Custodial Centres across Nigeria, I delivered a speech titled ”Compassion is the Basis of all Morality.”
The welfare of all Nigerians has been the utmost concern and a major policy thrust of the administration of President @MBuhari since inception. Therefore, I thank him for graciously approving the recommendations of the Presidential Task Force on Custodial Decongestion.
Those qualified for the amnesty are:
1 Inmates that are 60yrs and above
2 Those suffering ill-health that are likely to terminate in death
3 Convicts serving 3yrs and have less than 6mnths to serve
4 Inmates with mental issues
5 Inmates with options of fine not exceeding N50,000.
Also, President @MBuhari pardoned the following ex-convict who were recommended for pardon:
1. Late Prof. Ambrose Ali
2. Late Chief Anthony Enahoro
3. Ex Lt. Col. Moses Effiong
4. Major E.J Olare and;
5. Ajayi Olusola Babalola
The 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.
Kindly note that 70 inmates who qualified for the pardon and amnesty were released today in the FCT. We call on governors of the other 36 states under whose jurisdiction many of the 2,600 inmates were incarcerated to complete the exercise in line with our federal principle.
@ Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
