Disclosing this Thursday at a World Press Conference in Abuja, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
said the import of the pardon was that these three personalities were never convicted.

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.

Aregbesola further disclosed that 70 inmates of the Kuje custodian centre, Abuja would also be released on Friday as part of efforts to decongest the centre.

The Interior Minister stated that the Presidential amnesty was informed by recommendations to the President by a Presidential Committee and the imperative to drastically reduce the number of inmates in custodian centres across the country due to the outbreak of COVID-19.