By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto state has set free 29 deserving inmates from the Sokoto Central Correctional Service prison after granting them state pardon.
Hitherto, two civil servants dismissed from the state’s service also had their penalties converted to retirement.
The two civil servants are: Bawa Sahabi Tambuwal and Murtala Mani Salihu.
The release of the inmates who got their freedom through the state committee on prerogative of mercy was contained in a release Saturday night by Muhammad Bello, Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor.
The release said Barrister Suleiman Usman, SAN, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in the state made the announcement.
Making the announcement on behalf of Tambuwal at the correctional service premises, Suleiman said ”the pardon takes cognizance of the executive powers vested on the governor to offer mercy to inmates by the 1999 constitution as amended.
According to him, the gesture aimed at enabling the ex-prisoners to reunite with their family members and become decent citizens was also intended to decongest the prison and protect the inmates from being affected by the COVID 19 pandemic.
The Commissioner called on the freed prisoners to shun vices and engage in viable ventures that would uplift their living standards.
He added” the exercise is carried out on a routine basis to deserving inmates in order to offer mercy to them”, while presenting N50,000 cash assistance to each of the pardoned inmates from on the state government.
Suleiman explained further that the cash was to enable them set up useful ventures as they start new life out of prison.
Speaking, on behalf of the state controller of correctional service, the Deputy Controller in charge of the prison, Mallam Idris Muhammad thanked the state government for its continued support and encouragement to the prison.
