I’m afraid of signing death sentences, says Okorocha

Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha has said that over that 170 indigenes of the state are in various prisons waiting for the hangman’s noose.

He however said that he is wary of signing for their execution because of the cultural peculiarities of the state.

Okorocha spoke when the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Prison decongestion, Justice U.I. Bello, visited him in Owerri yesterday.

Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, quoted Okorocha as saying that each case would however be decided on its merit.

“With the setting up of the Committee for Prison decongestion it means President Muhammadu Buhari has been doing special things, including the Agricultural Revolution, the N-Power, and now the Prison decongestion. These are wonderful innovations by the President. This is the first time a government at the centre is taking steps to see our prisons decongested”, Okorocha said.

In his speech, Malami said the purpose of their visit was to review the cases of inmates in the prisons.

Chairman of the committee, Bello, regretted that some of the inmates have even stayed in prison more than they would have served if convicted, stating that those who have stayed in prison beyond approved terms should be allowed to go.