- Out of the pardoned inmates, 67 were released unconditionally, while 22 death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment
The Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Tuesday, pardoned no fewer than 113 inmates at the Sokoto Correctional Centre in commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
Represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Binji, the governor said the pardon was in line with Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“Out of the pardoned inmates, 67 were released unconditionally, while 22 death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.
“Additionally, 22 inmates serving life sentences had their terms reduced to 25 years, and two inmates had their sentences reduced by two years,” he said.
The governor charged the released inmates to become good ambassadors of the correctional system as they reintegrate into society.
“The attitudinal change you have learned here should remain a priority as you return home.
“Ensure your life is different from when you arrived, and do not allow yourselves to return to this place,” he advised.
He also announced a cash donation of ₦50,000 to each of the 67 inmates who were released to help them start afresh.
In his remarks, the Sokoto State Controller of Correctional Services, Lawal Gusau, applauded the governor’s gesture.
Gusau stated that the initiative would bolster ongoing efforts to decongest correctional centres across the country.