COVID-19: Delta Chief Judge frees 73 prison inmates

No less than 73 inmates have been set free by the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro.

The inmates were released from Ogwashi-Uku and Agbor correctional centres as part of an interim measure by the state government to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease.

Umukoro, who spoke to newsmen after the exercise on Wednesday, explained that the categories of inmates qualified for pardon included inmates that were 60 years and above.

Others who were pardoned he said, were inmates with health issues likely to terminate in death and inmates with minor offenses.

More so, inmates who have less than three years term left to serve having served a substantial term were also considered.

Out of the 73 inmates, 45 males, one female were released from Agbor Correctional Centre while 27 male inmates where from Ogwashi–Uku Correctional Centre.

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Speaking on behalf of the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Mr Ja’afaru Ahmed, the Controller of Corrections, Delta State command, Mr Friday Esezobor urged the released inmates to be of good behaviour.

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