COVID-19 Pandemic: Gombe State Pardons 28 Inmates
BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – As part of efforts aimed at controlling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gombe State Government has pardoned 28 inmates serving in various Correctional Centres in the state.
The move is intended to reduce the population of Correction Centres inmates considering that physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible.
This followed discovery from available records that the inmates’ populations at the various Custodial centres across the State are presently housing inmates beyond their capacities.
The overcrowded facilities pose a potent threat to the health of the inmates and the public in general in view of the present circumstances, hence the need for urgent steps to bring the situation under control.
A press statement by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Gombe State, Zubair M. Umar, Esq. stated that considering the above, on March 26, 2020, the State requested the Comptroller of Correctional Services to come up with a plan to partner with the State Ministry of Justice and the State Judiciary in order to ease the congestion in the Gombe Medium Security Centre.
According to Umar; “On 30th March, 2020, the Comptroller submitted a list of 300 inmates for consideration. After striking out the names of persons accused of rape and violence offences, we appealed to the Acting Chief Judge to direct some judges and magistrates to entertain bail applications for 174 inmates. At the end of the exercise, 115 were successfully released on bail from Gombe Medium Security Custodial Centre- the process is still on for the remaining 59 inmates”.
“Similarly, on 6th April, 2020 we requested the Comptroller to propose to the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy names of persons who are eligible for His Excellency’s amnesty for the consideration of the Council. The Council during its meeting held on 22nd April, 2020, received 29 applications requesting for His Excellency’s pardon from persons who were convicted by various Courts for various offences in Gombe State”, the Commissioner added.
The State Attorney General further said; “After deliberations, the Council recommended 28 persons for His Excellency’s clemency. These 28 persons were tried and convicted of various offences by the courts in Gombe State and were serving their sentences in the Gombe Medium Security Custodial Centre and other custodial centres of Bajoga, Billiri, Cham and Tula respectively.
“The recommendation was made taking into consideration the Persons serving three years and above with less than six months to serve and have been of good behavior, persons suffering from terminal illness; and young persons16 years and below.
He said the governor duly considered the recommendations of the Advisory Council and accepted them and has pardoned the 28 persons recommended for pardon and signed the order of their immediate release from custody.
“They were equally taken back to their respective Local Governments by the Correctional Service.”
