Federal Government is concerned on number awaiting trial inmates in prisons
The Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy says the Federal Government is concerned with the large number of persons awaiting trial in prisons across the country
The Committee for the North Central zone led by Prof. Bam Angwe made this known when the committee visited prisons in Kwara to de-congest the inmates.
Angwe, the Executive Secretary of National Human Rights Commission, said government was determined to reform the prison.
According to him, similar committees have been sent to the five other geo-political zones with a mandate to decongest the prison.
He said that the committee was going to recommend for presidential pardon for prisoners with proven records of ill-health or terminal diseases.
``We are conducting an audit of inmates in prison across the country. We will recommend to the presidency to free those that have shown remorse, exhibit exemplary character and good conduct,’’ he said.
He said certain people that were above 60 years and still serving jail terms across the country would also be considered for presidential pardon.
He explained that the presidency had decided to look at the issue of prison reform with a view to carrying out the intended agenda.
The chairman said the whole law was going to be reviewed and a bill sent to the National Assembly for necessary action.
One of the inmates, Janet Damasu, a Ghanaian, interrogated by the committee members, explained that if granted presidential pardon, she would go out and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to others.
She told the committee that she had been in prison for selling Indian hemp.
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