By Busari Kabirat
The Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has set free 31 inmates who have been serving their terms at the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Gusau.
Governor Lawal had on Friday visited the Gusau Medium Custodial Centre, where he signed 31 inmates to be pardoned in accordance with Nigeria’s Constitution.
Sulaiman Bala Idris, the governor’s spokesman, had in an issued statement made known that the decision was made following a thorough record investigation of the inmates as the constitution allows governors to reduce sentences and pardon inmates.
According to Governor Lawal in his remarks said, inmates convicted of various crimes were pardoned to encourage their transformation into law-abiding citizens.
“Today, I am exercising the power granted by Section 212(1) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to show mercy to inmates, which aims to alleviate the hardships and psychological distress of imprisonment.
“The decision was made after thoroughly examining the prisoners’ records, which confirmed their genuine remorse.
“Furthermore, I have approved a gift of N50,000 to each pardoned inmate to support their reintegration into society.
“This is an effort by my administration to reduce the overcrowding in correctional centers, especially at this time when we are making arrests of suspected bandits and informants.”
Inspecting the available facility, Governor Lawal promised to provide all necessary assistance for the Gusau Correctional Centre. Comptroller of Corrections, Zamfara Command, Umar Galadima, applauded Governor Lawal for his visit and decision to grant mercy to inmates.
