The Nigerian Correctional Service says 63 inmates in Plateau have been granted amnesty by the state government.
ASC Martha Banda, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the service in Plateau, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Jos.
Banda said the amnesty was in line with the decision of the Federal Government to decongest the custodial centres in the country, as a measure to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
NAN reports that President Mohammadu Buhari on April 8, approved the release of 2,600 prisoners in the country
Banda explained that 57 of the inmates were granted amnesty by the state, while six others were pardoned by the federal government.
![[FILES] A general view of burnt houses in Plateau state. Photo:AFP](https://www.afriupdate.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/000_328936M-120x86.jpg "2")
“You will recall that the federal government had directed that all custodial centers be decongested to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus in the county
“In an effort to decongest correctional facilities in Plateau, Gov. Simon Lalong graciously approved the request of the Controller-General of the Correctional Service and granted amnesty to 57 state offenders.
“The federal government also granted amnesty to 6 inmates, bringing the number to 63 prisoners who are affected across the 7 custodian centers in Plateau,” she said.
Banda said the categories of convicts that benefitted from the pardon were the ill-health, the aged, those who have served 75 per cent of their sentence, six months or below yet to serve.
She, however, said those who were convicted over violent offences like murder, armed robbery, terrorism, kidnapping and rape did not benefit from the gesture.
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