Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has pardoned 11 convicts serving various jail terms in Kaduna prison.
This was done under the prerogative of clemency powers vested in him by Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
A statement from Kashim Ibrahim House said the governor, acting on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, released the convicts on Sunday.
The statement added that it was customary to extend a gesture of compassion on New Year’s Day by granting pardons to deserving prisoners within the state’s jurisdiction.
The Kaduna State Prerogative of Mercy Advisory Council had previously recommended amnesty and the immediate release of Musa John, Yakubu Abdullahi and Habu Usman.
Other released convicts were: Shamsu Usman, Abdullahi Abdulmumuni, Mahadi Abdullahi, Futune Mabuke, Abdullahi Lawal, Sunday Iliya, Mohammed Anas and Kayode Gabriel Adenji.
The Kaduna State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy based its recommendations on convicts serving sentences of three years or more who have six months.
Earlier, El Rufai thanked the people of the state for giving him the opportunity to serve them, as well as for their understanding and support over the years.
The governor, speaking at the Kaduna 2023 countdown celebrations organized by the Kaduna Capital Territory Authority (KCTA), wished people a happy new year and appealed for optimism despite the difficult times.
He also sought them out for their continued commitment to peace and prosperity, hoping that “the hard work done since 2015 to improve the state and improve lives will continue with the next government.”
He also gave the excited crowd a few last ‘Buga’ dance steps, before reluctantly walking across the stage waving to the crowd. News Lodge
Procyon News
