From Paul Orude, Bauchi
Governor Mohammed of Bauchi State has granted an executive pardon to 153 inmates selected from different correctional centres across the state who have been incarcerated for various infractions.
The governor addressed the pardoned inmates on the occasion held at Government House, Bauchi, on Friday.
He said the decision to pardon them was informed by a careful review of their records by the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
He said the committee confirmed their determination to become good citizens that would be useful to themselves and the society.
Mohammed reiterated the commitment of his administration towards ensuring speedy dispensation of criminal justice.
According to the governor, part of the criteria adopted by the committee was coming up with the list of pardoned convicts.
He said the criteria include old age, terminal sickness, convicts having less than three months to complete their jail term and those who were to pay their victims compensation of less than N30,000.
He opined that granting them pardon was part of his administration’s resolve and determination to ensure decongestion of correctional centres across the state.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to the welfare of the poor and most vulnerable people, saying it would ensure total justice reforms for equity and justice to all.
“The granting of state pardon to persons in jail has been provided for by the Nigerian Constitution,” he said.
The governor who donated N50, 000 to each of the 153 freed inmates to start a business for self-reliance, called on them to henceforth, be law-abiding citizens by taking the advantage of the various empowerment windows provided by his administration for poverty alleviation.