Ebonyi governor frees 32 prisoners at Independence anniversary

GOVERNOR David Umahi of Ebonyi state has pardoned 32 prison inmates and ordered for their unconditional release.

The governor also commuted the death sentences handed down to 14 death row inmates to life imprisonment.

The governor made the declaration during the celebration marking the 56th independence anniversary celebration of the country and the 20th anniversary of the creation of the state at the Abakaliki Township Stadium.

The inmates were drawn from prisons in Ebonyi and Enugu states.

The governor said the order is pursuant to section 212 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He, however, directed the Attorney General of the state, Rt. Hon Augustine Nwankwegu to monitor the freed inmates and bring periodic reports to his office on their behaviour to ensure they don’t constitute further threat to the society

The governor also announced a 5 percent increase of workers salary starting from this month.

He also announced recall of workers of Ebonyi State College of Education and 37 staff of Ebonyi State Environmental Protection Agency (EBSEPA) who were sacked following the proscription of the law that created the agency.

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“Let me also announced the release of your promotions immediately”, Umahi told the elated workers of the state.

The governor said his administration have mapped out funds to give to workers as soft loans to start up agricultural ventures of their choosing adding that interested workers will get up to N200,000 loan.

He assured staff of Ebonyi State University that his administration had no plans to withhold their promotions as being speculated.

“We will not also stop the gazetting of the staff of the institution but be patient while we finish our investigations in the school and you will get what is rightfully yours”.

He also warned various government task forces operating in the state to stop harassing people.

“We don’t want harassment of our people, we promised freedom; that people will be allowed to express themselves. And if somebody is supposed to pay tax and he is unable to pay tax that person should be told in a civilized way to comply but nobody should be harassed”, he warned.