Governor Godswill Akpabio has in the spirit of New Year granted amnesty to 14 prisoners from Akwa Ibom serving various sentences in different prisons across the country.

Six prisoners serving in Port Harcourt Prisons had their sentences converted from death to life imprisonment. They are Ndifreke Isong Ekanem, Samuel Ekanem, Patrick Okon Ekene, Oduok Daniel Jimmy, Charles Kingsley Isong and Eyakeno Imoh Imoh.

Eight others serving life imprisonment in Uyo, Calabar and Ikot Ekpene Prisons were set free. They are Ofonime John Udoh, Mbong Billy Udobong, Akpan Phillips Akpan, Uweh Iniabasi Okon, Emmanuel Ebong Inyang, Udo Etim Isonguyo, Bassey George and Edem Bassey Etim.

Announcing this Friday during a visit to Uyo Prison, Akpabio said the Nigerian Constitution empowers him to grant pardon to any prisoner in the country. He advised those pardoned to be of good behaviour to be fully integrated into the society.

Unhappy with the living conditions of the prison, the governor donated N10 million for medical attention of the prison inmates. He also directed the state Comptroller of Nigerian Prisons Service to liaise with the Commissioner for Special Duties in a bid to intervene in some areas begging for attention in Uyo Prison.

Responding, the State Comptroller of Nigerian Prisons Service, Dr. (Mrs) Regina Akpan, thanked the governor for various donations to them and for reforming prisons service in the state through new edifices.

Mrs. Akpan, whose address was read by DCP, Rev. Ben-Rabbi Freeman in-charge of Uyo Prison, disclosed that the prison has 52 females, four babies and two expectant mothers in addition to 834 inmates awaiting trial. She appealed to Governor Akpabio to intervene in provision of some facilities and renovation of the prison.