Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa has freed 36 inmates to decongest the prison in the state.

On Wednesday, Mr Sule pardoned the criminals serving various jail terms.

During a visit to the Lafia prison, the governor said the gesture was in fulfilment of his constitutional obligation but advised the inmates to repent.

“Each of you must become a preacher from here so that you would be assimilated fully into the society to contribute to the peace, security and development of the society,” Mr Sule said.

The governor lauded the prison authorities for their various programmes to rehabilitate inmates to make them better persons and enrolling some of the inmates interested in pursuing higher education.

Mr Sule also promised to provide sewing and welding machines for inmates.

Abdulkarim Kana, Nasarawa’s attorney general and commissioner for justice, disclosed that the government was prosecuting over 1,000 cases at various courts across the state.

”The ministry has commenced the implementation of the amendment Criminal of Justice Law based on the approval by the governor to ensure speedy administration of justice,” he said.

According to him, the new arrangement will enable inmates who have spent a long time awaiting trials to agree with their counsels on alternative charges to get a quick conviction.

”Is better for them to be convicted than being detained on awaiting trials for many years,” said Mr Kana.

Mr Kana added that the amnesty programme and the plea bargain initiative would help decongest the prison and ensure quick dispensation of justice.

The prison comptroller, Aliyu Yahuza, thanked the governor for the gesture and other supports to improve the facility and welfare of inmates in the state.