A total of one hundred and seven five inmates have been released as part of efforts to decongest Nigerian correctional centres and control the COVID 19 pandemic, as physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible.
A Press Statement issued by the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barr Zubair M Umar and made available to Journalists in Gombe on Wednesday has said.
The statement explained that the inmates’ populations at the various custodial centres across the State are beyond the capacities of the facilities housing them and that the overcrowded facilities pose a threat to the health of the inmates and the public in general.
He said the plan to partner with the State Ministry of Justice and the State Judiciary in order to ease the congestion in the Gombe Medium Security Centre, adding that at the end of the exercise, 115 were successfully released on bail from Gombe Medium Security Custodial Centre while the process is still on for the remaining 59 inmates.
Similarly, on 6th April, 2020 they proposed to the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy in which Governor Inuwa Yahaya approved the pardoning of persons who were convicted by various Courts for various offences in Gombe State.
The Commissioner explained that additional 28 persons were tried and convicted of various offences by the courts in Gombe State and were serving their sentences in the Gombe Medium Security Custodial Centre and other custodial centres of Bajoga, Billiri, Cham and Tula respectively.
Accordingly, the Governor has pardoned the twenty eight (28) persons recommended for pardon and he has signed the order of their immediate release from custody and the inmates taken back to their respective Local Governments by the Correctional Service.
It may be recalled that on 9th February, 2020 the Governor has pardoned 32 inmates across the State bringing the total inmates released to One Hundred and Seventy Five (175).
