January 17, (THEWILL) – No fewer than fifty eight Benue indigenes are on death row, waiting for the hangman at the Jos Correctional Center in Plateau state.
The Comptroller of Correction, Jos Custodian Center, Mr Samuel Aguda announced this on Friday, when the Benue State Council on Prerogative of Mercy led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr Michael Gusa visited the center on a fact finding mission.
Mr Aguda disclosed that most of the convicts were showing good behavior while serving their jail term and were demanding for clemency; appealing to governor Ortom to grant them pardon in order to reduce the tension at the Jos Correctional center.
Responding, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Michael Gusa restated the believe of governor Ortom that repentant convicts should be given a second chance and has constituted the state council on Prerogative of Mercy to visit Correctional centers in the state and beyond and make recommendations to him for consideration.
Barrister Gusa assured that the council will look at the appropriate documents before making recommendations to the governor, who he said by law has powers to grant them clemency.
In her remarks, the Welfare Officer at the Jos Correctional center, Chief Superintendent, Victoria Datti said Benue convicts have shown exceptional good conduct; pointing out that none of them participated in the recent jailbreak at the center in Jos.
Two members of the council, Bishop Nathan Inyom of Anglican diocese of Makurdi and the Chief Imam of Makurdi, Alhaji Umar Shuaibu all prayed to God to change the convicts to become useful citizens and to be integrated into the society.
One of the convicts, Mr Solomon Kua who became an Evangelist in the course of serving his jail term, thanked governor Ortom for sending a delegation to visit them and appealed for forgiveness as they have changed from their old criminal ways and learnt their lessons.
About the Author
