Governor Diri Performs Prerogative Of Mercy On Nine Correctional Inmates

Governor Douye Diri has granted amnesty to nine inmates at the Nigeria Correctional Centre, Okaka in Yenagoa.

Governor Diri made the pronouncement when he visited the centre.

Addressing the freed inmates, the governor advised them to change their ways and become responsible members of society.

He expressed displeasure over the number of inmates in custody, saying that the only way the centre can be decongested was through reduction in crime in the state.

He said it was his constitutional duty to grant amnesty to inmates based on recommendations from the Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.
In a remark, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Kate Abiri, thanked the governor for the visit and expressed optimism that he would help decongest the centre.

She noted that the Chief Justice of the Federation was concerned about congested prisons in the country and in line with that she had embarked on jail delivery exercise.

According to her, as the Chief Judge, her power to release prisoners was limited to not too serious cases that have lingered, but that only the governor had the constitutional power to grant amnesty.

The Chief Judge expressed delight that it was the first time under her tenure that a governor of the state was physically carrying out the exercise and appreciated Governor Diri for granting amnesty to inmates and for decongesting the prison.