NewsNigeriaPoliticsGov Zulum Pardon 66 Inmates, Provides Support To 1,280 Others

No fewer than 66 inmates serving various prison terms at the Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre were granted state and partial pardons by Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.

The governor also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced jail terms for other inmates.

Zulum made the announcement during a visit to the facility, explained that the decision followed recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and pledged continued support for the inmates.  “Based on the powers conferred on me under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, I hereby grant state and partial pardons to 66 inmates of the Maximum Custodial Centre.

“I have also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced the jail terms of some other inmates as part of activities to celebrate this yearGovernor Zulum urged the inmates to maintain good conduct and refrain from actions that could disrupt the peace and progress of the state.

The Governor further announced plans to strengthen the vocational training centre within the facility, providing intensive literacy, numeracy, and digital skills programmes for inmates.

“I have directed the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to liaise with the management of Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre to enhance the vocational training centre, ensuring the provision of intensive literacy, numeracy and digital skills. This will enable inmates to acquire valuable skills while serving their sentences,” he said.

Governor Zulum urged the inmates to maintain good conduct and refrain from actions that could disrupt the peace and progress of the state.

The governor also donated 300 bags of rice, 50 jerrycans of cooking oil and five cows, along with a cash gift of N20,000 to each of the 1,280 inmates to improve their living conditions.

“Let me clarify that the N20,000 cash assistance will be handed over to officials of the Correctional Centre, as stipulated by law, but you will have access to it whenever needed,” he. emphasised.

Earlier, the Controller of Borno State Correctional Service, Ahmed Bawa, commended the governor for his unprecedented support to the facility and its inmates, describing it as first of its kind.

“This is the first time in history that we have received such immense support from Borno State Government under the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum. In May this year, the governor provided the facility with 100 bags of rice, 20 cartons of cooking oil and 10 bulls. Today, he has visited us again. On behalf of the management, staff, and inmates, we are deeply grateful,” Bawa said.

In his vote of thanks, the Sarki of the inmates, Gambo Simon, commended Gov. Zulum’s magnanimity, expressing their pleasure that the dividends of the good governance of Prof. Zulum is being felt even in the correctional centre.