Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has granted pardon to 12 prison inmates who were serving various jail terms at the Nigeria Correctional Center, Makurdi. During a visit on Sunday, December 31st, 2023, the Governor also granted state pardon to Dennis Yogbo, who was dismissed from the State Civil Service about 28 years ago.
The Governor’s decision was based on the recommendation of the Benue State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim. The dismissal of Dennis Yogbo was converted to termination of appointment.
Governor Alia urged the released inmates to be of good behavior as they reintegrate into society and encouraged them to make use of the skills acquired while in confinement to improve their lives. He emphasized the importance of giving their society the very best and reminded Yogbo to not take any aspects of life for granted, but to demonstrate his newly found freedom in his society.
The act of mercy granted by the Governor was motivated by his administration’s commitment to offering the best to the people of Benue. He expressed concern over the number of young individuals among the inmates, stating that prison should not be a home for them. Governor Alia expressed shock at the presence of many young people in the prison facility.
The Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, assured the Governor that the committee he chaired carefully evaluated the cases of those granted pardon in accordance with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, considering the offenses committed against the state. Inmates from Makurdi, Otukpo, and Gboko correctional facilities were among those granted pardon.
Barnabas Apav, speaking on behalf of the freed inmates, expressed gratitude to Governor Alia for the gesture and promised to exhibit good behavior as they reintegrate into society. Dennis Yogbo, who was granted state pardon, shared that he had been in bondage for 28 years until Governor Alia came to his rescue following the recommendation of the Benue State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
The Governor’s act of mercy and granting of pardon demonstrates the commitment of the Benue State government to uphold justice and provide opportunities for rehabilitation to individuals who have served their sentence.
