Democracy Day: Convict Seeks Amnesty From Tinubu

A human rights activist, Mubarak Bala, who is currently incarcerated at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for amnesty, in line with the spirit of the just celebrated June 12 Democracy Day anniversary.

Bala, who has been imprisoned for 37 months, claims that his imprisonment is unjust and that he was previously held in Kano prison.

He fervently implores President Tinubu to grant his release so that he can return home to his family, society, seek medical assistance, and continue his education.

These pleas were conveyed in an open letter addressed to the president. In the letter, dated May 29, 2023, which was recently shared with journalists by his lawyer, Bala describes himself as a prisoner of conscience, persecuted solely for his decision not to follow the religion he was born into, particularly as a descendant of the 1804 conquerors.

“I am a convict, which makes me eligible for your pen to sign my freedom. My appeal to the federal courts in Kano has never been heard nor admitted, and it will not be, at least for another year. Femi Falana SAN stands ready to represent me, and I hope that he can overturn everything, including the conviction, and ensure reparations are paid to me for the damages and time served.

“My wife was summoned during the twilight of the previous administration, and was told that she and my sister should come to collect me, as everything had been finalized. She spent money and left her work, but was asked to wait for an additional two days.

“These two days turned into more days, until the government changed and she was eventually asked to leave, with the promise that she would be called again. However, she never received that call. Now that the previous administration is out of office, I implore you to put an end to this appalling injustice,” he said.

The convict pleads with President Tinubu to allow him to return home and live a life without interfering with other people’s way of life, expressing his belief that in the long run, he may be able to help others in need.

The letter concludes: “Dear Mr. President, Your Excellency, I am writing this handwritten note from my jail cell on the occasion of your inauguration as our new leader, to guide us through the next four or eight years. However, given the chain this letter has to pass through, it may reach your desk on or after our Democracy Day. This will also provide you with some time to settle into your new role for this challenging job.

“Sir, this marks my 37th month of unjust imprisonment in Abuja, having previously been held in Kano prison. Back in 2013, when I attempted to inform my immediate family that I had left the religion many years ago during my university years, I was immediately placed in a psychiatric hospital by my father and uncles, with the help of a friendly doctor, despite another doctor from the same hospital having confirmed a year earlier that I am of sound mind and intellect, and that all they needed to do was preach or pray for me.”