At least 257 inmates have been released from correctional facilities across four states after the governors granted them pardons and other forms of clemency in the spirit of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
The beneficiaries are from Plateau, Kogi, Taraba and Adamawa states, where the governors announced various forms of executive mercy as part of activities marking the October 1 anniversary.
Plateau recorded the largest number, with Governor Caleb Mutfwang granting absolute pardon to 130 inmates and commuting the death sentences of four others to life imprisonment.
Mutfwang announced the exercise in his Independence Day goodwill message after consulting the Plateau State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“In exercising the powers conferred upon him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, Governor Mutfwang after due consultation with the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, has granted absolute pardon to 130 inmates,” the statement said.
In Kogi, Governor Usman Ododo granted pardon and other forms of executive clemency to 101 inmates and convicts.
Ododo said 94 beneficiaries were granted mercy on grounds including old age, medical conditions, good conduct, rehabilitation, remorse and compassionate considerations, while seven others received remission of sentence.
He said the exercise was guided by rehabilitation, remorse, humanitarian circumstances, public interest and justice.
“You have been given another opportunity, and every second opportunity comes with a greater responsibility,” Ododo told the beneficiaries, urging them not to return to crime and to make productive use of the skills and lessons acquired during their incarceration.
In Taraba, Governor Agbu Kefas granted executive pardons to 24 reformed inmates as part of the state’s Independence anniversary activities.
Kefas announced the pardon during his statewide broadcast on Thursday, saying the decision was made in exercise of his constitutional powers and following the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Similarly, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State pardoned nine inmates serving various terms in correctional facilities across the state.
Fintiri also commuted the death sentence of another inmate, Saidu Abdullahi of the Yola Old Custodial Centre, to life imprisonment.
The governor acted on the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, with the pardons and commutation taking immediate effect after the necessary legal formalities were completed with the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The combined figures show that 264 inmates and convicts benefited from pardon or other forms of executive clemency across the four states.
Of the figure, 257 received pardons or mercy resulting in their release, while the remaining beneficiaries had their sentences remitted or commuted to life imprisonment.
The measures were announced as the governors joined Nigerians in marking the country’s 66th year of independence.