
Ihedioha orders AG to begin process of releasing juvenile prisoners
Chidiebube Okeoma, Owerri
The governor of Imo State , Emeka Ihedioha , has ordered the Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice , Ndukwe Nnawuchi , to begin the process of releasing children inmates in the state correctional facilities .
Ihedioha , spoke when he declared open the Reformation and Reorientation programme for juvenile offenders at the Owerri Correctional Prison Service .
The governor said , “ I thank God that I came here today and I hope our visit here will touch your minds to become responsible members of the society when you come out .
“I have directed the Attorney General of the state to liaise with the officials of the Correctional Service to look into the cases of the juvenile prisoners and advise government appropriately . I would not hesitate in releasing any of them .
“The need to salvage our young ones from the dark clutches of perpetual delinquency cannot be overemphasized .
“The youths are assets that must be nurtured , treasured and harnessed for national development and I call upon the church , faith-based and non -governmental organisations to lend their hands in the efforts to make convicted offenders , especially the juveniles among them , better members of society.”
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Information and Advocacy , Adaora Onyechere , highlighted the cardinal objectives of the Save Them Young programme which according to her was centred on reformation , rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders .
She said that action must be taken for the development of appropriate correctional programmes like civic education , skills acquisition, remand homes and other non -custodial facilities to assist young offenders .