By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
NO fewer than 32 inmates from the Sokoto Correctional Centre with different offences were pardoned on Wednesday with a call on them to be of good and acceptable societal character.
The released inmates were pardoned under the State government’s Committee on Prerogative of Mercy.
Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice in the state, Suleiman Usman(SAN), announced on behalf of Governor Aminu Tambuwal .
Usman who was at the Correctional Centre where he made the disclosure said” the pardon was at the instance of the state governor, who is empowered by executive powers vested on him by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to offer mercy to inmates.”
Explaining further, the Commissioner said the gesture was aimed at enable ex-inmates reunite with their family members and become decent citizens of the society where they can legitimately earn their living and contribute to the development of the state and country.
“It Is also a measure towards intended to decongesting the centre and protect the inmates from being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic”, he added.
Usman, who is hitherto, the state Chairman, Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, called on the freed prisoners to shun vices and engage in viable ventures that would uplift their living standards.
” Avoid anything that will break the law and order in the state and the country in general.”
He assured with a disclosure that the exercise was on a routine basis to deserving inmates in order to offer mercy to them.
He later presented the sum of N50,000 cash to each of the pardoned inmates on behalf of the state government.
” This gesture is to enable you to set up some useful ventures while starting a new life out of the centre with your love ones and other members of the society .”
In his remark, the state Deputy Controller (Operations) of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lawali Idris while appreciating the efforts of the state government, lauded its gesture for granting freedom to such number of prisoners and providing the inmates with a start up capital for small venture.
” We are greatful to you for the continued support to the centre”, he expressed.
