Kwara Government to grant executive pardon to inmates, next week says Jawondo

The Kwara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Salman Jawondo has revealed the readiness of the state judiciary to free/grant some inmates bail in the Ilorin branch of the Correctional Service Centre, next week.

This development is coming on the heels of the Federal Government's directive to states in a quest to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus that has killed thousands of people across the globe, in the prison yards.

 

In an exclusive interview with this reporter, the Attorney General stated that the pardon exercise is limited to two categories of inmates; those on the Awaiting Trial list and the convicts.

He said one of the government criterias of considering the inmates will include those who are aged, females who have children, inmates who have health challenges, backed with confirmed doctor's report and people with minor offences.

He added that those who are facing trial for offences like rape, armed robbery, cultism and homicide will not be aptured in the next week executive pardon exercise.

Following the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Kwara State, Jawondo said the exercise will be done in corroboration with the state Ministry of Justice, Judiciary and religious leaders.