By Umar Sa’id, Bauchi
In his resolve and determination to ensure decongestion of the Correctional Centres across Bauchi State, Governor Bala Mohammad has granted state pardon to a total of 96 inmates serving various jail terms at Correctional Centres across the state.
He however refused to pardon convicts of capital offences in order to discourage others from committing such offences.
Speaking at the executive pardon held at the Banquet hall, Government House, Bauchi, Governor Bala Mohammed said the sum of 10m has been paid by the state government to facilitate the immediate release of the inmates from the Correctional Centres in order to unite them with their families.
The Governor explained that the decision to pardon them followed careful review of their records by the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy who confirmed the remorsefulness of the inmates of their misdeeds and their determination to become good citizens who would be useful to themselves and the society.
He added that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) has given him powers as the Chief Executive of the State to pardon inmates in Correctional Centres in the State and announced the government’s donation of N100,000 to each of the 96 freed inmates for business.
Gov Bala tasked the pardoned convicts to henceforth be law abiding citizens and engage in legitimate endeavors by taking advantage of the various empowerment windows provided by his administration so as to become self- reliant and useful members of the society.
The Governor noted that his administration is committed to ensuring speedy dispensation of criminal justice, hence the approval for upward review of the N500, 000:00 released to the Ministry of Justice quarterly to N1million as prosecution fees meant for taking care of expenses incurred while procuring prosecution witnesses.
Earlier speaking, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan El-Yakub, explained that functions of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy includes considering issues of well-being of convicted inmates held in the Custodial Centres across the State including payment of fine or compensation which will not only help to decongest the Custodial Centres, but assist the reformed convicts to become good citizens who will eventually engage themselves in meaningful economic activities that will be beneficial to themselves and the society at large.
