By Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has charged 12 inmate he granted pardon serving various jail terms at the federal correctional center Makurdi, to make use of the skills they have acquired while in confinement to improve their living standards outside jail.
The governor who gave the charge when he visited the center during the yuletide in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, also granted state pardon to Dennis Yogbo; a dismissed civil servant who was in jail for the past 28 years.
The governor who took the decision based on the recommendation of Benue State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy headed by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order Fidelis Mnyim, said under the arrangement, Yogbo’s dismissal has been converted to termination of appointment.
He admonished the released inmates to be of good behaviour as they reintegrate into the larger society, urging them to make use of the skills acquired while in confinement to better their lot.
Governor Alia particularly implored the gentleman whose dismissal has been converted to termination of appointment not to take any element of life for granted, advising him to demonstrate his newness into the society by giving out his very best.
He however, expressed worry why most of the inmates serving various jail terms were young persons who ordinarily shouldn’t be anywhere near the prison, pointing out that the act of mercy was granted to them based on his administration’s desire to offer the best to people of the state.
The governor who expressed shock that over 525 inmates were mostly young persons with one out of the 25 females having a baby while some were having pregnancies said the prison should not be home for such category of people.
Responding on behalf of the freed inmates, Barnabas Apav, expressed appreciation to governor Alia for the gesture and pledged to be of good conduct as they were reintegrated back to the society while Dennis Yogbo the one who was granted state pardon and his dismissal converted said he had been in bondage for 28 years, describing the governor as Good sent.