An inmate of the the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lagos State Command, Nweke Chibueze, has pleaded for clemency for himself and seven other graduating inmates to be freed to allow them contribute their quota to the country’s development. 

Mr Nweke, who was giving the vote of thanks on behalf of his fellow graduating inmates from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), thanked the Controller General, Haliru Nababa, and the Vice- Chancellor of NOUN for the opportunity they had to study despite their incarceration. 

He went further to plead for clemency for them, especially,  Okike Chinyere, a female inmate who emerged as the best graduating student of the Peace and Conflict Resolution  department of NOUN.

According to a statement by the correctional service, Okike Chinyere graduated with a second class honours (upper division), while another male inmate, Alegbe Afolabi was also awarded a Master’s degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution. 

The graduating inmates believed they could only make meaningful contribution to the society with the knowledge acquired if only they were freed from the prison.

Meanwhile,  the state Controller of Correctional Service, Adewale Francis while speaking during the presentation of Bachelor of Science certificate to the eight graduating inmates from Lagos Command, urged them to imbibe the virtues of education. 

Mr Adewale added that incarceration should not stop them from dreaming and they should seize the opportunity available to them while in detention to better their lives so they can contribute positively to the society when they are released.