Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed has granted state pardon to 96 convicted inmates who were serving various jail terms in the correctional centres across the state and empowered them with N100,000 each.
To this end, ₦13 million have been forwarded to the freedom-bound inmates as life-rebuilding support from the Government of Bauchi State.
Speaking during the Freedom Day ceremony held at the Government House, Bauchi, Governor Abdulkadir said the decision to pardon the inmates was recommended by the State Advisory Committee on Prerogative Mercy aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in the state with a view to ensuring due compliance with the law.
According to him, he is always sad when he visits the facility only to see the faces of young and productive people who should be out contributing to the development of the state.
“This money is not from my pocket, it’s from the state coffers. It is the people of Bauchi state that has extended this good gesture to you. Use it correctly and please, don’t terrorise them with criminality,” he added.
Mohammed also called on the chief judge of the state to prevail on judges especially, judges of the lower courts to be wary of remanding persons at the correctional centres for simple and mundane offences or even purely civil cases like matrimonial matters.
He said the pardon to the inmates was part of his administration’s determination to ensure decongestion of correctional centres across the state, saying it cares about the poorest and most vulnerable people.
Governor Mohammed appealed to them to work with security agencies by sharing vital information that would be positive to the society to curb crimes.
He expressed satisfaction with the service for having skills acquisition centres where inmates learn various skills to enable them live productive life outside.
He urged the pardoned inmates to be law-abiding and engage in legitimate endeavours to earn a living, adding that his administration has been working to improve economic activities especially for youths to be useful to the state.
The state attorney-general and commissioner of Justice, Hassan El-Yakub (SAN), said the move is backed by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, adding that the governor had earmarked and approved the sum of over N7 million for the payment of fines and compensation for those convicts whose sentences involved the payment of fines and compensation.
He said governor Mohammed equally approved and released the sum of about N13 million as palliatives and transport money for the 96 freed inmates.
