FG To Grant Amnesty To Inmates
The AGF explained to our correspondent on Friday that the move had become imperative in order to decongest the correctional centres and to curb the spread of COVID- 19.
“The benefits will not cover inmates serving jail terms for capital offences such as murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and treason among others,” Malami said while responding to inquiries through his media aide, Dr Umar Gwandu.
He stated that the President had been mindful of the need to decongest prisons with particular regards to the fact that around 70 percent of the inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service Centres were awaiting trial.
Malami said, “The committee has already recommended that courts, Federal Ministry of Justice, the Correctional Service formations, Governors and Attorney-Generals of states, among others be encouraged to intensify actions to ensure that the Correctional Service formations are not further congested taking into consideration the prevailing health challenges associated with Covid- 19.
“The Committee requested that Mr President may wish to consider his powers of Prerogative of Mercy in speeding of decongestion, while governors of states and their CJs be encouraged to visit correctional service formations for the purpose of decongestion.
“The Committee is of the view that the Federal Executive Council and the State Governments be encouraged to consider payment of fines in respect of minor offences for those categories of inmates that could not afford paying of same in respect of offences that attract fines arising from the convictions.
“Part of the resolutions were also that Correctional Service should, as well, consider the possibility of moving inmates from congested Correctional Service Formations to centres that are less congested and have space for accommodation of inmates, among others.”
He added, “By way of long term measures, the possibility of amending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by way of considering an amendment that will move the Correctional Service formations from Exclusive to Concurrent Legislative List among others is equally considered.”
“The benefits will not cover inmates serving jail terms for capital offences such as murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, rape and treason among others,” Malami said while responding to inquiries through his media aide, Dr Umar Gwandu.
He stated that the President had been mindful of the need to decongest prisons with particular regards to the fact that around 70 percent of the inmates of the Nigerian Correctional Service Centres were awaiting trial.
Malami said, “The committee has already recommended that courts, Federal Ministry of Justice, the Correctional Service formations, Governors and Attorney-Generals of states, among others be encouraged to intensify actions to ensure that the Correctional Service formations are not further congested taking into consideration the prevailing health challenges associated with Covid- 19.
“The Committee requested that Mr President may wish to consider his powers of Prerogative of Mercy in speeding of decongestion, while governors of states and their CJs be encouraged to visit correctional service formations for the purpose of decongestion.
“The Committee is of the view that the Federal Executive Council and the State Governments be encouraged to consider payment of fines in respect of minor offences for those categories of inmates that could not afford paying of same in respect of offences that attract fines arising from the convictions.
“Part of the resolutions were also that Correctional Service should, as well, consider the possibility of moving inmates from congested Correctional Service Formations to centres that are less congested and have space for accommodation of inmates, among others.”
He added, “By way of long term measures, the possibility of amending the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by way of considering an amendment that will move the Correctional Service formations from Exclusive to Concurrent Legislative List among others is equally considered.”
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