Sokoto State govt frees 32 prisoners, gives N50,000 support

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Sokoto State Government has freed 32 prison inmates from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

The inmates with different degree of offences were granted freedom under the state governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s constitutional
Prerogative of Mercy.

The heartfelt gesture was performed at the Sokoto Central Correctional Centre on behalf of Governor Tambuwal, by the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Suleiman Usman (SAN).

One of the freed inmates thanking the governor on behalf of others

Usman on behalf of the state government presented the sum of N50,000 cash to each of the pardoned inmates to enable them set up some useful ventures as they move into a new life out of prison.

The action of the governor was in line with the executive powers vested on him by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, to offer mercy to inmates said the Commissioner.

The gesture, he maintained has enabling the ex-prisoners to reunite with their family members and become decent citizens, and to help decongest the prison and protect the inmates from being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The commissioner, who is also the state Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy, called on the freed prisoners to shun vices and engage in viable ventures that would uplift their living standards.

In a release signed by the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor,Muhammad Bello, made available to Nation Update, the governor advised those pardoned to be.of good character and avoid anything that would make them break the law and order in the state and the country in general.

Suleman further said the exercise is carried out on a routine basis to deserving inmates in order to offer mercy to them.

Idris

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.

Lawali also thanked the state government for its continued support and encouragement to the prison.