Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, on Tuesday granted pardon to 113 inmates at the Sokoto Correctional Centre in celebration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
The pardon was announced by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Nasiru Binji, on behalf of the governor. Aliyu explained that the gesture was by Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“Of the 113 pardoned inmates, 67 were released unconditionally, while the death sentences of 22 inmates were commuted to life imprisonment,” Binji said. He added that 22 inmates serving life sentences had their terms reduced to 25 years, and two others had their sentences reduced by two years.
Governor Aliyu encouraged the released inmates to become model citizens as they reintegrate into society. “The change in behavior you’ve acquired here should remain a priority as you return home. Ensure your life is different from when you arrived, and do not allow yourselves to return to this place,” he advised.
To support their reintegration, Aliyu also announced a donation of ₦50,000 to each of the 67 released inmates to help them start afresh.
In his remarks, Mr Lawal Gusau, the Sokoto State Controller of Correctional Services, thanked the governor for his generous initiative, noting that it would support ongoing efforts to decongest correctional centres across the country.
