By Ndikpongke Thomas
The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy was one of the councils set up by the present administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel to assist in the smooth running of state as it pertains to prison inmates.
In line with its statutory duties, the council since its inception has performed creditably well.
It’s first point of call upon assumption was a visit to the Ikot Abasi Prison.
The council led by its Chairman, Sir Adasi Ubulom, arrived the prison and was received by the officer in charge, Justina Ogbuemefi (Mrs). After exchange of pleasantry and introduction by the two parties ( Prison official and board) the Chairman, Ubulom thank the officer in charge for the warm welcome and informed her that the prison was the first of its visit upon assumption of office in September.
He charged the inmates of the prison on the need to live proper lives after serving their sentences.
On Tuesday, 19th November 2018, the team paid a visit to the Eket prison in other to have an on-the-spot assessment of the inmates and infrastructure in the prison command. On arrival, the entourage was received by the officer in charge Mr Chuke Chika Idoke, who introduced his key officers to the board and Mrs Jenny Okpodighi, the executive secretary on behalf of the board introduced the board members to the prison officials.
The Chairman of the board, Hon. Chairman, Sir Adasi Ubulom informed them that the board which was constituted September, 2018 was at the prison to have an insight on the situation of things and make necessary recommendations.
The chairman also stressed that the visit was possible through the help of the controller of prison Akwa Ibom state command. At the end of the visit, several cases were presented by the inmates for state pardon.
The team as part of its duties also visited the Ikot Ekpene prison on 26th November were they were received by the Deputy controller, Mr Kingsley Njoku.
The chairman of the council in likewise manner made known to the controller the purpose of the visit. He appreciated the Humble disposition of the Dep. Controller on the manner in which he received and welcomed the team at the entrance of the facility. He informed the prison officials the rationale for the visit having been constituted by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state in September, 2018 under the chairmanship of Sir Adasi Ubulom and the mandate for them to visit the inmates and make recommendations to His Excellency for clemency as seen in the a amended constitution (section 212 of 1999) of the federal republic of Nigeria.
After careful consideration of reports by the prison officials for clemency, several persons were recommended.
On 26th November, the council led by its chairman, Sir Adasi Ubulom arrived the Uyo prison facility & was received by the Deputy controller of prison, Mr Babatunde O. Jaiyeoba and some key prison officials. He stated that the purpose of the visit was inline with the assessment of the inmates and infrastructure in the prison so as to make recommendations to the Executive Governor about granting amnesty to deserving inmates.
The chairman thanked the Dep. Controller and further informed them that the board was constituted on September, 2018 by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state and also inline with the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended as contained in section 212.
Considering the core objective the following inmates were interviews.
Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy in collaboration with firstborn Global Consultants on Friday 14th December visited inmates of the Uyo Prison on rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-prisoners in Akwa Ibom State.
The Council led by its chairman, Sir Adasi E. Ubulom thanked the comptroller for maintaining harmony in the prison despite the huge number of inmates. He met with the prison inmates at the prison chapel, led a praise and worship session and lectured them on Reformation life after prison and skill acquisition. He stated that the reason for the visit was to converse with the intimates on the way forward after serving their sentences.
“We are here today as part of our job towards ensuring that the inmates after serving their sentences, go out to become better persons.” he stated.
The Chairman alongside other members of the board, took their turns in educating the inmates on how to have reformed lives after prison & further trained them on several skill acquisition programmes.
The comptroller, Uyo Prison, appreciated the team for the visit to the prison stating that with support as this, many ills in the society will be corrected. He stressed that the inmates of the prison are treated fairly while the prison remains a positive corrective measure.
“The looks on the faces of the inmates shows that for them, the visit was an answered prayer. This visit undoubtedly rekindles the hope for greater answers to come.”
He stressed that with the level of tutoring & prayer session held each day, the inmates have realized that they have erred and would never do anything to find themselves in prison anymore.
Also speaking, an executive member of the board, Mr. Cyril Umoren, noted that the group was only carrying out its duties as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He added that touching another person’s life is freedom in itself.
Highpoint of the event was doling out of food items and toiletries to the inmates of the prison.
