2 hours ago
1
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has granted amnesty to 73 convicts serving various prison terms for different offences in correctional centres across the state.
Addressing the beneficiaries at a ceremony held at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House on Wednesday, the governor said the prerogative of mercy is a sacred trust requiring wisdom, restraint and careful evaluation.
“Ramadan is a season of mercy, reflection, repentance, renewal, and devotion. While justice preserves order, mercy restores hope,” he stated.
Governor Bala Mohammed explained that the decision followed a thorough, evidence-based process, taking into account factors such as remorse, improved conduct, health conditions, age and the broader interest of justice.
He added that the exercise was conducted under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), noting that it was a deliberate effort to give deserving individuals a new lease of life, not merely a symbolic gesture.
Each beneficiary will receive a grant of N100,000 to support their reintegration into society.
The governor expressed appreciation to the Attorney General, the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy and the Correctional Service for their transparent and rigorous work in the pardon process.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Hassan El-Yakub, revealed that the amnesty process considered elderly inmates, those serving long sentences, those with terminal illnesses and individuals who had shown remorse and good conduct.
Minor offenders who had served at least one-third of their sentences were also eligible, while persons convicted of serious crimes such as rape, kidnapping, culpable homicide, armed robbery and terrorism were excluded.
El-Yakub called on the judiciary to adopt non-custodial measures such as community service for minor offences to ease congestion in correctional centres.
He further disclosed that Governor Bala Mohammed had approved over N7 million for compensation, fines and transportation to assist beneficiaries in returning to their communities.
