Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has granted absolute pardon to 130 inmates and commuted the death sentences of four others to life imprisonment as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Mutfwang announced the exercise of his prerogative of mercy on Thursday in his Independence Day message to Plateau residents and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora.
The decision followed consultations with the Plateau State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
The four inmates whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment are Zuhumnan Musa, Jeremiah Aese, Pam Lang and Thoma Danboyi.
The development means the four inmates will no longer face execution but will instead serve life sentences.
Among those granted absolute pardon are Kamshine Gomerep, Maju Sajen, Jan Thomas, Gody Victor, Imran Maikasuwa, Biplang Emmanuel, Peace Sunday, Salisu Usman, Geoffrey John and Shwarpo Luka, among others.
The governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere, disclosed the decision in a goodwill message issued on Thursday.
The statement said the governor acted under powers conferred on him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
“In exercising the powers conferred upon him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, Mutfwang after due consultation with the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, has granted absolute pardon to 130 inmates, while four inmates serving death sentences had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment,” he said.
The exercise came as Nigerians marked 66 years of independence, with the governor describing the anniversary as an opportunity to reflect on the country’s journey, its challenges and achievements.
He urged citizens to preserve Nigeria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, stressing that nation-building was a responsibility shared across generations, saying: “The responsibility of nation-building has passed from one generation to another and that every citizen has a role to play in building a peaceful, stable and prosperous country.”
Mutfwang said the country’s future depended on citizens looking beyond their differences and creating an environment where everyone could pursue their aspirations.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in the collective determination of its citizens to rise above differences and build a nation in which every citizen has a sense of belonging and an opportunity to fulfil his or her aspirations,” he said.
The Plateau governor also commended President Bola Tinubu’s efforts towards national cohesion and economic development.
He praised the President’s “continued emphasis on national cohesion, peace, economic development and the collective responsibility of Nigerians to build a stronger nation.”
Mutfwang also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peace, security, justice and inclusive development in Plateau State.
He said he remained committed “to building a Plateau State where citizens can pursue their aspirations in an atmosphere of peace, security, justice and inclusive development.”
The governor commended Plateau residents for “their resilience, patience, patriotism and invaluable contributions to the development of the state and the nation,” urging them to “keep faith in the Nigerian project despite the challenges confronting the nation.”
The governor concluded his Independence Day message by urging Nigerians to remain committed to the country despite its difficulties.
He “wished Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora a peaceful, meaningful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary” and urged citizens to “continue to believe in Nigeria and contribute their quota towards building a nation worthy of the sacrifices of its heroes past and the aspirations of generations yet unborn.”
Similar Independence Day gesture in Adamawa
Mutfwang’s action was not the only exercise of the prerogative of mercy announced on Independence Day.
Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri also pardoned nine inmates and commuted the death sentence of another inmate, Saidu Abdullahi, to life imprisonment.
The inmates were drawn from correctional facilities across Adamawa State, with the governor acting on the advice of the state’s Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy. The releases took immediate effect after the necessary legal formalities were completed.
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