Uba Sani pardons 110 prisoners to commemorate Democracy Day

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, has pardoned 110 prisoners in the Kaduna Correctional Centre to mark this year’s Democracy Day.

Sani announced the pardon for the inmates on Tuesday when he visited the Kaduna Correctional Centre.

The governor said he granted the pardon in the exercise of the power of prerogative of mercy conferred on him by section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Sani urged those who earned his sympathy not to go back to the ways that necessitated their incarceration.

“For the avoidance of doubt, I am releasing a total number of 110 convicts today to mark the celebration of our one year in office and, more importantly, to celebrate 2024 June 12, Democracy Day,” he said.

“Out of this number, there are 22 convicts who will be released on pardon. The remaining 88 convicts consist of those who have been convicted with the option of a fine ranging from N10,000 and above, while others have compensation to pay to their victims ranging from N150,000 and above, and in some cases, we have those with both fines and compensation elements.”

The governor said no society can exist without law and order and urged citizens to desist from criminal activities and obey constituted authorities.

Sani said his administration is anchored on justice and fairness and committed to bringing succour to the people of Kaduna.

He also urged the pardoned inmates to acquire skills and pledged the state’s support to achieve the goal.

“We strongly believe that there is inherent goodness in every person. We believe that everybody deserves a second chance,” he said.

“Persons in custodial centres can turn a new leaf and contribute to the growth and development of our state.”

Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and human rights lawyer, who was in attendance at the occasion, commended the governor for the act.

Falana urged the state’s chief judge to perform his statutory duty under the law by ensuring that all chief magistrates in Kaduna visit all police stations, at least once a month to prevent unnecessary arrests and congestion of prisons.