1,300 inmates pardoned in two years – Report

Not less than, 1,317 inmates had been pardoned by the federal and state governments between January 2022 and December 2023, Saturday PUNCH stories.

This determine was obtained from media stories compiled by our correspondent on Friday.

The variety of inmates within the numerous custodial centres throughout the nation rose by 2,937 between 2022 and 2023, our correspondent gathered.

In December 2022, the whole variety of inmates was 75,509, nevertheless it elevated to 78,446 in December 2023.

In keeping with the newest abstract of inmate inhabitants on the web site of the Nigerian Correctional Service, out of the 78,446 inmates, 54,141 are awaiting trial. The determine comprised 52,800 males and 1,341 females.

Our correspondent gathered that no fewer than 707 inmates had been pardoned in 2022 and greater than 610 inmates had been pardoned in 2023.

In keeping with findings, inmates had been pardoned by state governors primarily based on suggestions or after due consultations with the state Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

On October 1, 2023, Adamawa, Plateau, and Nasarawa state governments pardoned 24 jail inmates in commemoration of the 63rd independence anniversary.

The NCoS spokesperson, Federal Capital Territory Command, Adamu Duza, who just lately spoke to Saturday PUNCH mentioned non-custodial measures ought to be given extra consideration, including, “The non-custodial measure is a significant recreation changer within the enterprise of corrections, because it not solely an alternative choice to imprisonment however a method of decongesting our custodial centres, saving price for the federal government, offering free service to the neighborhood and likewise a income generator.”