By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA—IN commemoration of this year’s Christmas and New Year, Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State has ordered the discharge and release of 14 prisoners convicted in Abia State, who are serving in Aba and Umuahia prisons.

The governor’s action, it was gathered, was based on the recommendations of the state Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy under the chairmanship of the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu and in exercise of the powers conferred on the governor by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

A statement by Kalu stated that the prisoners are Uchechi Egwu, Kennedy Ikpeazu, Nnanna Kalu, Udoh Ufomba, Chibuzor Ezenwoko, Ejike Kelechi, Okezie Nwokoma and Chiemela Nwagbara.

Others are Chinaza Onyenweaku, Isaac Macaulay and Oko Ogburu Urum. The rest are Kingsley Onuigbo, Ndubuishi Anyanwu and Chima Uzoigwe.