Abia Gov Pardons 12 Prisoners

Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, has approved the release of 12 persons serving different jail terms in various prisons in the state.

A statement issued  in Umuahia last Mondayby  the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the state, Chief Kalu Umeh, noted that the gesture was “in commemoration of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.’’

It stated that the governor acted in line with the powers of prerogative of mercy conferred on him by Section 212 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

It listed the beneficiaries to include Boniface Okezie and Ikemdinachi Okezie , who were incarcerated for manslaughter, and Okezie Emerole and Peter Obida, who were imprisoned for murder.

Others were Anthony Anokwuru, who was jailed for an attempt to commit murder, Ezeogo Ogbonnaya, Ndukwe Ogbuisi and Sunday Chukwu jailed for conspiracy, while Ogadinma Uka and Ndubuisi Nwanosike were jailed for armed robbery.

Voctor Ojiegbe and Ugochukwu Odoemelam, who were serving jail terms for assault “and entering into a dwelling place’’, were also released.