Some Nigerian Governors have granted pardons to inmates to mark the 2024 Democracy Day, in a gesture aimed at decongesting prisons and giving deserving offenders a second chance.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State commuted the death sentences of 45 inmates to prison terms and granted pardons to 41 others. In his Democracy Day speech, Abiodun said the move was a demonstration of the state government’s commitment to upholding democratic values and principles of mercy and justice.
Okay.ng had earlier reported how, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State secured the release of 110 inmates from the Kaduna Correctional Centre, including 22 convicts released on pardon under the prerogative of mercy powers conferred on him by the Constitution. The remaining 88 convicts were released after paying their fines or compensation to their victims.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State granted pardon to 13 prison inmates, including Bitrus Gonkir, Umar Adams, Monday Pam, and Jibrin Ibrahim, who received absolute pardon. Others had their sentences commuted to various terms.
In Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri granted pardons to five inmates, including a female, and commuted the death sentences of two convicts to life imprisonment.
The governors’ actions were based on the recommendations of their respective state advisory councils on the prerogative of mercy and the powers conferred on them by the Constitution.
