· Harps On Rehabilitation Of Ex-inmates
Governor Ifeanyi
Okowa pf Delta State has inaugurated a seven- man Advisory Council On The
Prerogative Of Mercy with a charge to proffer ways of reintegrating
ex-inmates into the society.
Speaking in Asaba Thursday [30-03-17], the Governor said that
the Advisory Council should ,apart from granting pardon to convicts, come up
with a workable plan for the rehabilitation of ex-inmates once they are
released.
Governor Okowa in red cap, with members of Prerogative of Mercy panel. |
Those inaugurated were Chief Patrick Okpakpor
[Chairman]; Dr. Samuel Efetobor; Barr. Kress Njuokuemeni; Hon. (Mrs.)
Irene Imilar; John Okoriko Esq; Paulina Egbon, Representative, Nigerian Prisons
Services [members], while Rosemary Monye (Mrs.)would serve as
secretary.
According to him, “it is in line with the constitutional
provision and consistent with our pursuit of a justice system that is fair and
equitable that the Delta State Advisory Council On The Prerogative Of Mercy is
being inaugurated. Beyond granting pardon to convicts, it is my hope and
expectation that the Council will also come up with a template for the
rehabilitation of this people once they are released, it is needful that we
come up with a workable plan of how these ex-inmates can be engaged to
facilitate their reintegration into the mainstream of society”
Okowa explained that “Over the years, the Prerogative of
Mercy has helped to decongest our overcrowded prisons nationwide, currently,
there are 3,442 inmates in our prisons in Agbor, Kwale, Ogwashi-Uku, Sapele and
Warri, this figure includes convicted felons and those awaiting trial. An
additional 1,000 plus persons were convicted by the Delta State Judiciary but
serving their various sentences in prisons in other parts of the Federation”.
While commending the chairman and members of the Council
on their appointment, Okowa urged them to carry out their duty diligently as
enshrined in the constitution.
Responding on behalf of the members, Chief Okpakpor
thanked Governor Okowa for their appointment and assured him that they would
give quality advice to him in the course of their duty.
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