The President Muhammadu Buhari has
written to Ibrahim Muhammad, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) to free “deserving”
inmates across Nigeria following the coronavirus pandemic. In his letter on
Tuesday asked the state chief justices to immediately visit the prisons to free
such inmates.
written to Ibrahim Muhammad, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN) to free “deserving”
inmates across Nigeria following the coronavirus pandemic. In his letter on
Tuesday asked the state chief justices to immediately visit the prisons to free
such inmates.
Buhari, in a statement by Femi
Adesina, his spokesman said the overcrowded facilities pose threat to the
health of the inmates at this time “hence the need for urgent steps to bring
the situation under control.”
Adesina, his spokesman said the overcrowded facilities pose threat to the
health of the inmates at this time “hence the need for urgent steps to bring
the situation under control.”
“It has become imperative for Your
Lordship to request State Chief Judges to embark on immediate visit to all
custodial/correctional centres within their respective States to identify and
release deserving inmates where that has not been done already,” Buhari said in
the letter.
Lordship to request State Chief Judges to embark on immediate visit to all
custodial/correctional centres within their respective States to identify and
release deserving inmates where that has not been done already,” Buhari said in
the letter.
“It is expected that particular
attention should be on the aged, those with health issues, low risk offenders,
those with no sufficient legal basis to remain in custody, inmates convicted
for minor offences with or without option of fines and inmates who have less
than 3 years term left to serve having served a substantial term of their service
for offences that attract 5 years and above.
attention should be on the aged, those with health issues, low risk offenders,
those with no sufficient legal basis to remain in custody, inmates convicted
for minor offences with or without option of fines and inmates who have less
than 3 years term left to serve having served a substantial term of their service
for offences that attract 5 years and above.
“Payment of fines may be made in
favour of inmates convicted of lesser offences with option of fine, who are in
custody because of their inability to pay such fines.
favour of inmates convicted of lesser offences with option of fine, who are in
custody because of their inability to pay such fines.
