Bauchi State Government has spent the sum of N20m to secure freedom for 96 convicts from across the Correctional Centres in the state.
The amount, as announced by the Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir while granting them amnesty on Friday was used to pay the various fines imposed on them by the Courts totalling N7m and N13m for their transportation and rehabilitation.
The exercise which is an annual event, was done under the prerogative of mercy provided for in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
The Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir said that he decided to grant the pardon and amnesty following the report of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy that the affected convicts have turned a new leaf of life.
He added that only those with minor offences and could not afford to pay the fines imposed on them at conviction were selected for the amnesty programme of his administration.
The Governor said that he refused to grant amnesty to those serving long terms from capital offences in order not encourage commitance of such offences.
Bala Mohammed then announced that each of the pardoned inmates will get the sum of N100000 will be given to each of them to start a new business with which to sustain themselves and become good citizens.
He then charged them not to see themselves as prisoners but be free to reintegrate into the society and be of good behavior henceforth.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy who is the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hassan U. EI-Yakub, SAN said that the Governor did it in the exercise of the powers of granting pardon or mercy to deserving convicts which is conferred upon him by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
According to him, This event is therefore significant in so many ways. First and foremost, it is a fulfillment of His Excellency’s constitutional responsibility as a responsible leader but most importantly, it is a clear testimony to the unwavering compassion, empathy, love and concern for the well-being of his people. It is equally significant that it is taking place in the holy month of Ramadan.”
He added that,”By Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), His Excellency has tremendous powers to:
Section 212 (1), Grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offense created by any law of a state a pardon, either free or subject to lawful conditions.”
He can also Grant to any person a respite, either for an indefinite or a specified period, of execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offense and Substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on that person for such an offense.
Furthermore, Remit the whole or any part of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offense or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to the state on account of such an offense.
Section 212 (2).
The Commissioner added that, the power of the Governor under subsection (1) of this section shall be exercised by him after consultation with such Advisory Council of the State on Prerogative of Mercy as may be established by the Law of the State.
According to him, “In his desire to carry out this laudable responsibility, the Governor promptly approved the reconstituted the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy on the 22nd of December, 2023, a few weeks after my assumption of office in line with the extant provisions of Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Sections 3 & 4 of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy Establishment) Law CAP 114, Laws of Bauchi State, 2001.”
He disclosed that the Advisory Council received a total of 106 applications from convicts who are seeking the indulgence of His Excellency the Executive Governor, for mercy, pardon or clemency.
The Council also visited the Bauchi State Correctional Service and all the Custodial Centers across the State located in Bauchi, Alkaleri, Azare, Bogoro, Burra, Darazo, Ningi, Zaki, Gamawa, Misau, Shira, Toro, Tafawa Balewa and Jama’are.
After a very meticulous scrutiny and a sober consideration of the applications, the Council carefully selected Ninety-96 deserving inmates and recommended them to his Excellency for approval.
“I am delighted to inform this august gathering that in his usual humane nature and benevolence, His Excellency without any hesitation, approved the recommendations of the Council for the release of all the inmates presented by the Council,” he added.
The Commissioner added that,”In addition, His Excellency also magnanimously earmarked and approved the sum of over Seven million Naira for the payment of fines and compensation for those convicts whose sentences involved the payment of fines and compensation.”
He added that, “His Excellency did not stop there, he has equally earmarked, approved and released the sum of about N13m as palliatives and transport money for the 96 inmates who will shortly be gaining their freedom. The very lucky inmates who are all here with us today will in due course be presented to His Excellency for the grant of pardon.”
The breakdown of the inmates by location is as follows: 17 inmates are from Bauchi Correctional Centre, 7 inmates are from Alkaleri Correctional Centre, 10 inmates are from Azare Correctional Centre, 6 inmates are from Bogoro Correctional Centre, 8 inmates are from Ningi Correctional Centre, 8 inmates are from Burra Correctional Centre, 3 inmates are from Misau Correctional Centre, 7 inmates are from Darazo Correctional Centre, 3 inmates are from Jama’are Correctional Centre, 9 inmates are from Tafawa Balewa Correctional Centre, 5 inmates are from Toro Correctional Centre, 4 inmates are from Gamawa Correctional Centre, 2 inmates are from Shira Correctional Centre and 7 inmates are from Zaki Correctional Centre.
This was coming few weeks after Heart That Truly Cares (HTTC), Alwadata Lifeline Initiative (ALLI), Atta Sisters Helping Hand (ASHH) Foundation led by Rotary Club of Bauchi Central secured release of 21 convicts.
The Coalition paid various sums as fines for all the 21 inmates who were convicted for various minor offences but could not afford to pay the option of fines given by the Courts.
