At least 257 inmates have regained their freedom from correctional facilities across Plateau, Kogi, Taraba and Adamawa States after the governors exercised their constitutional prerogative of mercy as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
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Beyond those released, other convicts had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment or received remission of their sentences, making the exercise one of the wider coordinated uses of executive clemency announced by state governors during this year’s October 1 celebrations.
A breakdown of the figures announced by the four states shows that 257 inmates were granted freedom, seven received remission of sentence, while five death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment. On those state-by-state figures, 269 people benefited from one form of clemency or another.
Plateau State accounted for the largest number of outright pardons.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang granted an absolute pardon to 130 inmates across custodial facilities in the state after consultations with the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
He also commuted the death sentences of four other inmates Zuhumnan Musa, Jeremiah Aese, Pam Lang and Thoma Danboyi to life imprisonment.
The governor said the decision was taken in exercise of the constitutional powers vested in him and formed part of the state’s activities commemorating Nigeria’s 66th year of independence.
While the 130 pardoned inmates were granted freedom, the four whose sentences were reduced from death to life imprisonment remain in custody under the new sentences.
In Kogi State, Governor Usman Ododo extended pardon and other forms of executive clemency to 101 inmates and convicts.
Ododo said 94 beneficiaries were granted mercy after considerations including old age, health conditions, good conduct, evidence of rehabilitation, remorse and other compassionate circumstances.
Another seven convicts received remission of their sentences.
The Kogi governor said the exercise followed recommendations by the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, which reviewed case records, representations from inmates and correctional reports before making its recommendations.
Among those considered on medical and old-age grounds were inmates whose circumstances the council determined warranted executive intervention.
Ododo stressed that granting clemency did not diminish the seriousness of the offences for which the beneficiaries had been convicted, but reflected the constitutional power to extend mercy where rehabilitation, justice and humanitarian considerations justified it.
He urged those returning to society to see their freedom as an opportunity for a fresh start and to avoid conduct that could bring them back into the criminal justice system.
Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas also exercised the prerogative of mercy in favour of 24 inmates.
Kefas announced their pardon during his Independence Day broadcast, saying their cases had been reviewed and that the decision was informed by the law, the interests of justice, evidence of rehabilitation and humanitarian considerations.
“Independence must also remind us that justice should be firm, but it must never be separated from mercy, rehabilitation and the possibility of a new beginning,” the governor said.
He said the decision followed consultation with the Taraba State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy and was made pursuant to Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The 24 beneficiaries were described as reformed inmates whose circumstances had been considered before approval was given for their release.
In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri granted pardon to nine inmates serving different prison terms across correctional facilities in the state.
The beneficiaries were Abubakar Dajo, Zabadi Ayuba, Salvation Nyamso, Amir Idris, Mohammed Saidu, Yaro Sambo, Buhari Salisu, Urube Samuel and Bamaiyi Amos.
Fintiri also commuted the death sentence imposed on Saidu Abdullahi, an inmate at the Yola Old Custodial Centre, to life imprisonment.
The Adamawa Government said the governor acted on the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and that the pardons and commutation took immediate effect after the necessary formalities were completed with the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Taken together, the decisions meant that 130 inmates in Plateau, 94 in Kogi, 24 in Taraba and nine in Adamawa — 257 people in all — were granted freedom.
In addition, seven Kogi convicts received remission of sentence, four Plateau death-row inmates had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment, while one death sentence in Adamawa was similarly commuted.
The announcements once again highlighted the constitutional prerogative of mercy, under which state governors, acting within the constitutional framework and typically after receiving advice from their respective advisory councils, may grant pardons, remit punishment or commute sentences.
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