In the spirit of democracy day in Nigeria, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani on Friday granted clemency to 97 inmates serving jail terms in Kaduna Correctional Centre.
The Governor, while speaking at the Kaduna Correctional Centre to mark the day, reaffirmed the enduring values of justice, compassion, freedom and democratic governance that define the June 12 struggle.
He explained that the release of the inmates was in exercise of the constitutional Prerogative of Mercy, following recommendations by the Kaduna State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy after reviewing eligible cases.
The exercise involved outright release, commutation of sentences and payment of fines for affected inmates.
Governor Sani who D]described the gesture as a demonstration of the transformative power of redemption and second chances, urged the beneficiaries to embrace lawful and productive lives.
To support their reintegration, he announced cash grants for all 97 beneficiaries and offered admission opportunities into Kaduna State Skills Acquisition and Vocational Institutes in Soba, Rigachikun and Samaru-Kataf for those interested in acquiring or upgrading vocational skills.
According to him, the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to rehabilitation, empowerment and inclusive development.
“While justice must be upheld, we must never lose sight of the transformative power of redemption and the importance of second chances,” the Governor said.
Sani appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and residents to support the reintegration of the released inmates, noted that successful rehabilitation requires collective societal support.
The Governor donated a utility bus to the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kaduna State Command, and donated medical equipment as well as consumables to strengthen healthcare services at the correctional centre, to support of correctional reforms in the state.
He said June 12 remains a defining moment in Nigeria which provides an opportunity to honour those who sacrifice to ensure the survival of democracy in the country.
“Democracy Day provides an opportunity to honour the sacrifices of Nigerians who fought for the restoration of democratic rule and to recommit to building a more united, peaceful and prosperous nation.
“June 12 is a defining moment in Nigeria’s history, the 1993 presidential election demonstrated the capacity of Nigerians to transcend ethnic, religious and regional divisions in pursuit of a common national destiny,” he said.
Governor Sani paid tribute to Chief MKO Abiola, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Hajiya Kudirat Abiola, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other patriots whose sacrifices helped secure the democratic freedoms Nigerians enjoy today.
“Their courage remains a powerful reminder that freedom is never free and that democracy must be nurtured, protected and strengthened by every generation,” he said.
Earlier, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Sir James Kanyip, described the exercise as another demonstration of Governor Sani’s compassionate and reform-oriented leadership.
He noted that the Prerogative of Mercy remains an important instrument for balancing justice with mercy, promoting rehabilitation and reducing congestion in correctional facilities.
The Democracy Day clemency exercise underscores the Kaduna State Government’s commitment to criminal justice reform, social inclusion and the delivery of democratic dividends through policies that restore hope, expand opportunities and strengthen the bonds of citizenship.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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