The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has in commemoration of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, granted pardon to nine prison inmates serving various jail terms at the Enugu, Aba, Umuahia and Kirikiri, Lagos prisons.

These nine prisoners were convicted by courts within Abia State for various offences, ranging from murder to stealing, advanced fee fraud, and assault.

Two of the prisoners had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment, while another, a female murder convict, had her death sentence commuted to a pardon and an order made for her release.

The other six prisoners were granted total pardon and also ordered to be released forthwith.

All the releases were made by the Governor on the advice of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, headed by the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state, Umeh Kalu (SAN).