Independence Day: Fintiri, Ododo grant pardons to inmates
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State and Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State have granted pardons to inmates as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 2026 Independence Day anniversary.
While Fintiri granted clemency to nine inmates, Ododo extended pardons and other forms of executive clemency to 101 inmates and convicts.
Fintiri also commuted the death sentence of an inmate, Saidu Abdullahi, serving at the Yola Old Custodial Centre, to life imprisonment.
In a statement issued by Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the Adamawa State Governor, the governor exercised the prerogative of mercy following the advice of the Advisory Committee.
“The governor acted pursuant to the powers conferred on him by Section 212(1)(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
“The nine inmates pardoned are Abubakar Dajo, serving at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Jos; Zabadi Ayuba and Salvation Nyamso, serving at the Numan Custodial Centre.
“Others are Amir Idris, Mohammed Saidu and Yaro Sambo, as well as Buhari Salisu, Urube Samuel and Bamaiyi Amos.
“All were serving at the Jimeta, Ganye, Guyuk, Yola Old and Kojoli Custodial Centres, respectively.
“The governor approved the measures to commemorate the 2026 Independence Day anniversary,” Wonosikou said.
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He said the pardon and commutation took immediate effect following the conclusion of all necessary legal formalities.
In his address to the people of Kogi State to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary, Governor Ododo said the exercise was anchored on the constitutional prerogative of mercy and guided by considerations of rehabilitation, remorse, humanitarian circumstances, public interest and justice.
The governor said the decision was particularly significant because the country’s Independence anniversary represents freedom, responsibility and the enduring hope that future generations can build a better society.
According to him, justice must be balanced with compassion, adding that a society committed to justice must also recognise rehabilitation and the possibility of redemption for those who demonstrate genuine remorse and readiness to return to responsible living.
Ododo disclosed that he inaugurated the Kogi State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy on September 2, 2026, in accordance with the constitutional framework governing the exercise of the prerogative of mercy.
The council was chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi. The inauguration of the seven-member Council was previously announced by the Kogi State Government.
He said the council reviewed the relevant records of the cases before it, considered representations made on behalf of inmates and convicts, examined correctional reports and visited correctional centres across the state, including Koton Karfe, Kabba, Dekina, Ankpa, Idah and Okene.
The governor said the council considered factors including age, health, the nature and circumstances of offences, period already served, conduct in custody, remorse, rehabilitation, vocational skills acquired, family and community support, the interests of victims, public safety and the broader interests of justice.
Governor Ododo explained that 94 beneficiaries were granted mercy on grounds including old age, medical conditions, good conduct, rehabilitation, remorsefulness, and compassionate considerations, while seven others received remission of sentence.
Among those granted mercy on old-age and medical grounds were Lamidi Mohammed Garuba, aged 91; Ajagbonna Olufemi David, aged 72; Yakubu Atabo; Chief Umane Okeme; Saidu Atuluku Yunusa; Hilary Chike Nwaeze; Ebenezer Mopah; Abdullahi Jibril; and Usman Ismaila.
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The seven beneficiaries whose sentences were remitted are Tunde Adura, Olusaye Moses Abayomi, Abu Mowde, Zakariyau Baba, Michael Ojonugwa, Rami Sadiq and Salawudeen Sanusi.
Governor Ododo stressed that the exercise did not diminish the seriousness of the offences for which the beneficiaries were convicted, describing it as an exercise of constitutional compassion in deserving circumstances.
He charged the beneficiaries to regard the opportunity as a fresh responsibility and urged them to return to their families and communities as responsible citizens.
“You have been given another opportunity, and every second opportunity comes with a greater responsibility,” the governor said, urging the beneficiaries not to return to crime and to put to productive use the skills, education and lessons acquired during their incarceration.
He also called on the people of Kogi State, particularly young people, to reject kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, theft, cultism, drug-related offences and other forms of criminality.
Governor Ododo said poverty, peer pressure and the desire for quick wealth must never become excuses for criminal conduct, stressing that hard work, education, enterprise, integrity and perseverance remain the legitimate pathways to a meaningful life.
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