Ebonyi governor orders release of woman jailed for stealing N400 worth of cocoyam

The Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) Ebonyi State chapter, has lauded Governor Dave Umahi for ordering the immediate release of a woman accused of stealing N400 worth of cocoyam.

The woman and her children had been in Abakaliki prisons for an unclear duration, following her inability to fulfill stringent bail conditions for her freedom.

But during the visit of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to the state, Governor Umahi was briefed on conditions of the woman and he immediately gave order for her release.

Reacting to Mr. Umahi’s action, Emeka Anosike, chairman of CDHR said the governor’s action portrayed him as a lover of human rights.

‘’The Governor has shown that he is a human right activist and we wish to commend him for his benevolence in directing the release of the indigent woman. There are many similar cases of this nature in the prisons today. We are appealing to his Excellency to also look into their plights,” he said.

‘’We also appeal to his Excellency to further direct the committee for prerogative of mercy in the state to look at the cases of prison inmates who are mentally deranged and lunatics,” the release submitted.