In an effort to decongest the prisons and discourage the spread of coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the release of 2,600 inmates and also granted pardon to some patriots.
Buhari who made the approval on Thursday granted Presidential pardon to the former governor of old Bendel State, late Prof Ambrose Alli and a foremost nationalist, late Chief Anthony Enahoro.
Interior minister Rauf Aregbesola said at a briefing on Thursday in Abuja that three other high profile persons also benefitted from the presidential amnesty.
He added that the gesture means that they were never convicted.
Aregbesola was at the briefing with ministers of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
He also said the gesture was based on compassion and added that 70 inmates of the Kuje custodian centre Abuja would also be released as part of efforts to decongest the centre.
Aregbesola said the Presidential pardon followed recommendations to the President by a Presidential Committee and the imperative of drastically reducing the number of inmates in custodian centres across the country due to the outbreak of COVID 19.
As the palliatives spread, the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) have agreed to government’s suggestion to offer to supply electricity free of charge for two months to all Nigerians.
A statement by the Executive Director (Research & Advocacy) Association of Nigiarian Electricity Distributors (ANED ), Mr Sunday Oduntan issued Thursday, said the DisCos recognise the challenging effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the economic and daily lives of our customers.
“In fulfilment our commitments to the nation, we hereby align ourselves with the efforts of the National Assembly and the Federal Executive to mitigate the hardships that are currently being borne by our customers and other citizens all over the country.
“We commend the Federal Legislators, the Executive arm and The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for their initiative and we are committed to working with them to ensure more efficient power supply within this difficult period, as the nation battles with the ravages of COVID-19.’’
