Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum has pardoned 96 prison
inmates serving various jail terms at three Correctional Centres in
the state.
According to him, the pardoning exercises are measures to decongest
correctional centres and prevent coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kaka Shehu
Lawan disclosed this Wednesday; while pardoning 58 inmates of the
Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Maiduguri.
Lawan, who is also Chairman of Borno State Advisory Council on
Prerogative of Mercy, said that a total of 96 inmates were pardoned to
decongest correctional centres and prevent COVID-19 disease.
According to him, pardoned inmates are from Maximum Security Custodial
Centre (58), Medium Security Custodial Centre (32), Maiduguri, and six
from Biu Medium Security Centre.
He said Zulum approved the state pardon in line with the policy of
Federal Government to decongest Custodial Centres.
He added that the pardoning of inmates, are part of measures to
contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
“This amnesty was approved following the recommendation of the Borno
State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy after it reviewed 96
applications,” he said, adding that applications were received from
Controller of the Correctional Service, Borno State Command.
He said the applications received were considered based on those that
had served their terms with less than six months to go, long-term
prisoners that had served for more than 10 years with good records.
Others included illness likely to lead to death or terminal sickness,
old age, those with the option of fine not exceeding N50,000 and have
no pending cases, minor offenses, low-risk offenders and those to be
considered on compassionate ground.
Lawan said 19 among the inmates whose terms were less than six months,
were considered, while four among the inmates were pardoned based on
terminal health challenges
According to him, one Usman Alkali, an inmate who was convicted for
one year and four months and had six months to serve, was also granted
clemency for reaching 60 years.
Continued; “The council also found, 41 inmates from Maximum, Medium,
and Biu Medium Custodial Centres, who were convicted and sentenced to
various terms of imprisonments with the option of fine not exceeding
N50,000 and had no other pending cases against them.
“Additionally, 26 other inmates, comprising 23 males and 3 females
were released based on compassionate grounds,” Lawan said. On welfare
of inmates, he said: “Borno state had no congestion in all its
correctional facilities.
“We have a committee comprising members from the National Human Rights
Commission (NHRC), Police, DSS, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), and
Legal Aid Council,” noting that they assessed all facilities to ensure
that the inmate’s welfare is well catered for.
According to him, the maximum, medium and Biu correctional facility
centres have 2, 690 inmates with 576 vacancies as May 5, 2020.
He said that with the decongestion of correctional centres with
pardon; they could accommodate 669 persons.
He noted that each of the inmates was given N10, 000 as a token, while
a vehicle was provided to convey them to their respective
destinations; despite the lockdown.
“An additional N500, 000 was donated to State Maximum Security
Custodial Centres, as part of efforts to improve services at this
correctional facility,” he said.
While commending the Borno Chief Judge, Justice Kashim Zannah, he
said: “Justice Zannah has adopted proactive modalities toward the
speedy trial of cases and decongestion of Correctional Centres in the
state,” noting that Governor Babagana Zulum’s policies and programmes
have transformed the judicial system in the state.
