Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Chairman of the Delta State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, Chief Patrick Okpakpor, has expressed serious concern over the large number of inmates on death row at the Warri Medium Security Prison.
Okpakpor who expressed worry when he led other members of the Council on its maiden visit to the Okere Prison in Warri, where it was discovered that a total of 222 inmates are on death row, was shock at the undignified and dehumanized conditions inmate are detained.
The former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Delta State who wants the issue of prison congestion to be treated as a national emergency, also urged the Federal Government to have a second look into the issue of death sentence.
He was stunned by the magnitude of congestion which he said should be treated as a national emergency.
He charged the Federal government to make adequate budgetary provisions to expand the already over stretched facility which was originally designed and built to accommodate maximum of 307 inmates but now accommodates over 1,500 inmates.
All the 222 condemned convicts later physically appeared before the Chairman and Members of the Council to ascertain some of the claims contained in their applications.
The Chairman of the Committee, while explaining the purpose of the visit, disclosed that, as a statutory body empowered to advise the Governor in exercise of powers vested on him by the Constitution in granting amnesty to prisoners, said the Council will make appropriate recommendations for clemency to deserving inmates on death row and others serving various terms of imprisonment by the Governor.
He however emphasized that only qualified applications received by the Council would be considered and forwarded for approval.
The Deputy Controller in charge of the Warri Prison, Mr. Airiohuodion Sam, who conducted members of the Committee round the Warri prisons, expressed joy on visit to the Warri
Medium Security Prison.
He appealed to both the Federal and the Delta State governments to intervene in the crisis situation currently experienced by the Prisons in the State by building additional facilities to accommodate condemned convicts.
Other members of the Committee comprised of Barr. (Mrs.) Uju Minute (Secretary), Dr. Samuel Efetobor, Barr. John Okoriko and Barr. F. Njuokuemeni.