Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has approved the release of 11 convicts, in the exercise of the Prerogative Of Mercy powers conferred by Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House noted that the governor who acted on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy released the convicts on New Year’s day.
The statement added that it is customary to extend a gesture of compassion on New Year’s day, by granting pardon to deserving prisoners within the jurisdiction of Kaduna State.
The governor who spoke at the Kaduna 2023 countdown celebrations organised by Kaduna Capital Territory Authority(KCTA), wished the people a happy new year and appealed for optimism despite the tough times.
The Kaduna State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy had earlier recommended the grant of amnesty and for the immediate release of Musa John, Yakubu Abdullahi and Habu Usman.
Other convicts that were released include Shamsu Usman, Abdullahi Abdulmumuni, and Mahadi Abdullahi as well as Futune Mabuke, Abdullahi Lawal, Sunday Iliya, Mohammed Anas and Kayode Gabriel Adenji.
The statement noted that “The Kaduna State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy based its recommendations on convicts serving sentences of three years or more who have six months or fewer to serve, long-term prisoners who have served ten years or more of their sentence with good conduct, and convicts suffering from ill health likely to terminate in death. The committee also considered private submissions for clemency made to the governor.”
