BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto –
The Sokoto State Governor has excercised his prerogative of mercy by freeing no fewer than 32 inmates from the Sokoto Correctional Center with different degree of offences.
The excercise carried out by the State Committee of the Prerogative of Mercy was to enable some ex-convict’s reunite with their family members.
Making the disclosure on behalf of the governor, The Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Suleiman Usman (SAN), said, “the right to pardon was vested on the state governor, who is empowered with executive powers by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to offer mercy to inmates.”
He said the gesture, which is aimed at enabling the ex-prisoners to reunite with their family members and become decent citizens, was also intended to decongest the prison and protect the inmates from being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also appealed to them to shun vices, be of good character and engage in viable ventures that would uplift their living standards, the governor also
Gov. Tambuwal, further, divulged that the exercise is carried out on a routine basis to deserving inmates in order to offer mercy to them.
Each of the pardoned inmates was however given N50,000 cash to enable them set up some useful ventures while starting a new life out of the prison.
The Sokoto State Deputy Controller (Operations) of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Lawali Idris, lauded the efforts of the state government for granting freedom to such number of prisoners.
Mr. Lawali also thanked the state government for its continued support and encouragement to the correctional service
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