President Muhammad Buhari has granted presidential pardon to about 2,600 inmates nationwide.
Out of the said number, 70 inmates will be released Thursday from Kuje maximum custodial centre.
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola disclosed this at a world news conference on Thursday in Abuja.
He said three other high profile persons also benefitted from the presidential amnesty. He added that the gesture means that they were never convicted.
Aregbesola who was flanked at the conference by the ministers of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami and Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the gesture was based on compassion.
Meanwhile, Bashir Ahmad, Personal Assistant on New Media tp President Buhari on his Twitter handle gave a brief breakdown of the beneficiaries to include:
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1. Inmates 60yrs & above
2. Those suffering from ill-health likely to terminate in death
3. Convicts serving 3yrs & above & have less than 6 months to serve
4. Inmate with mental issues
5 Inmates with option of fine not exceeding N50k