Gov. Uzodimma pardons 36 inmates in Imo

Denies Impounding Vehicles Conveying Beverages
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma has directed the release 36 inmates in various Correctional Service centres in the state.

The governor has also directed the state’s acting Chief Judge, Ijeoma Agugua, to commence accelerated trials and release of the inmates in the centres in the state.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, Uzodimma also directed that adequate precautionary measures be observed during the trials, especially wearing of facemasks and social distancing.

The statement added that the categories of the inmates included those, who have less than six months to go; those who have served up to 25 per cent of their term; those who committed minor offences, and those, who were imprisoned for a term between three and six months.

Affected persons were advised to take advantage of the gesture to be good citizens and resolve not to go back to commit such crimes that landed them in jail.

Meanwhile, the state government has denied reports in some national tabloids (The Guardian, not inclusive), that it impounded haulage vehicles conveying beverages and foodstuffs against the presidential exemption order.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the State never ordered for such or collecting N50,000 fines, clarifying that it was the thugs, who were carrying out such illegal acts. A government’s team led by the Commissioner for Transport, Rex Anunobi, he said, already arrested some of the thugs.

According to the commissioner, the governor had also exempted vehicles on essential duties in his lockdown Executive Order 001.