Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Muhammad has exercised his constitutional rights where he pardoned 96 convicted inmates from various correctional facilities in the state.
To this end, ₦13 Million have been forwarded to the freedom-bound inmates as a life rebuilding palliative from the Government of Bauchi State.
He also settled seven million naira fines imposed on the freed convicts .
Speaking during the freedom day ceremony held at the Banquet hall of the Government house Bauchi, Governor Bala Muhammad said the decision to pardon the inmates followed recommendations by the state Advisory committee on Prerogative of Mercy aimed at decongesting correctional facilities in the state with a view to ensuring due compliance with the law and to avoid negative impacts.
According to him, he is always sad when he visits the facility and to see the faces of young and productive people who should be out there contributing to the development of the state.
Governor Bala Muhammad appealed to them to work with the security agencies by sharing vital information that would be positive to the society to curb crimes
He expressed satisfaction with the service for having skills acquisition centres, where inmates learn various skills to enable them live productive life outside after completion of their jail terms.
He urged the pardoned inmates to be law abiding and grab a legitimate endeavor to earn a living, adding that his administration has been working to improve economic activities especially for youths .
In his address the Attorney general and Commissioner of Justice Hassan E-lyakub (SAN) who is also the chairman of the state Advisory committee on Prerogative of Mercy said the committee had received 106 applications seeking for Governor’s pardon but 10 were disqualified for not meeting the committee’s yardstick which include Age, communicable diseases, minor offence and Life sentenced.
In their separate admonishments Renowned Islamic Scholar Ustaz Hassan Ibrahim Zango and the state commissioner for Higher Education Dr. Lydia Tsammani both called on the benefiting inmates to reciprocate the gesture by being good Citizens and contribute to the development of their communities.
