Senator Bala Muhammad Abdulkadir, the governor of Bauchi State, has pardoned 96 convicted prisoners from the state’s several prisons.
The decision to pardon the prisoners was recommended by the state advisory committee on prerogative of mercy, according to Governor Abdulkadir, who made the announcement during the “Freedom Day” ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Bauchi.
The goal of the pardon is to decongest correctional facilities throughout the state in order to ensure proper compliance with the law and to prevent negative effects.
According to him, “I feel sad when I visit the facility and see the faces of young and productive people who should be out there contributing to the development of our state.
“On this note, I appeal to the freed inmates to work with the security agencies by sharing vital information that would be positive to the society to curb crimes.”
The CEO of the state, who also expressed gratitude to the authorities for establishing skill-acquisition centers where prisoners can pick up skills to assist them to lead useful lives, encouraged the exonerated prisoners to follow the law and get a respectable job.
He said that his administration had been attempting to enhance economic opportunities, particularly for young people who could benefit the state.
Hassan E-Yakub (SAN), the attorney general and commissioner of justice for Bauchi State, clarified that the executive governor’s action is supported under section 212 of the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution.
The state Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy chairman, E-Yakub, stated that out of the 106 applications for the governor’s pardon, 10 were rejected because they did not meet the committee’s requirements, which include age, communicable diseases, minor offenses, and life sentences.
Famous Islamic scholar Ustaz Hassan Ibrahim Zango and state commissioner for higher education Dr. Lydia Tsammani made separate appeals to the liberated prisoners, urging the fortunate ex-convicts to return the favor by abiding by the law and improving their communities.
