Gov. Bala frees, empowers 153 inmates with starter packs
Story from Sha’afatu DAUDA, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has granted executive pardon to 153 inmates serving 14 year jail terms across the state.
This is inline with the provision of section 2012 of the 1999 constitution which gives such power to the Governor under the prerogative of mercy.
The governor has also provided N50, 000 to each of the inmates to enable them establish small scale businesses.
Addressing the inmates in the government house, the governor charged them to be law abiding citizens and contribute to the development of the society.
Mohammed, who said his administration is concerned with the present judicial system that causes unnecessary hardship to inmates, promised to introduce a policy that would reduce the state of awaiting trail with a view to decongest correctional centres.
He also called for the establishment of a Federal Court of Appeal in the state towards ensuring speedy dispensation of justice.
In their separate remarks, the State Chief Judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar and the Chairman of the State Council on prerogative of mercy, Barrister Abubakar Abdulhamid Bununu, who is the attorney general of the state, called on the inmates to reciprocate the effort by avoiding anti social behaviour when they reunite with their families.
Also speaking, the comptroller of the state Correctional Service, Ali Abubakar Bajoga, who commended the governor for the gesture, noted that it was the largest pardon in the history of the state.
Speaking on behalf of the released inmates, Sa’idu Adamu Giade, expressed delight for the freedom granted them and pledged to be law abiding citizens at all time.
According to a report by Radio Nigeria, most of the inmates could not meet the option of paying five to ten thousand naira as fine to guarantee their freedom.
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