Over 100 death row inmates in Kano correctional centres, says Inuwa 

Buni pardons 33 in Yobe to celebrate Ramadan
Controller of Correctional Centre, Kano Command, Suleiman Inuwa, has said no fewer than 100 inmates are on death row in the state.

In the spirit of Ramadan, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has pardoned 33 inmates from various correctional centres across the state.

Inuwa disclosed this, yesterday while presenting the list to the state’s committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.

Spokesman for the command, Musbahu Nasarawa, told journalists in Kano that the committee, chaired by Azumi Bebeji, was at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Janguza, on the execution of the prerogative of mercy.

Those on death row, according to the controller, include those with serious medical challenges, elderly and other classes of inmates.

He appreciated the support of the committee to decongest the facility and the shouldering of the Iftar (feeding) programme in the facility.

According to him, the majority of the inmates on death row have already exhausted their appeals, while some are seeking clemency.

Bebeji assured the inmates that the government would look into their conditions based on the attestation of good conduct and industry while in custody to be made by the correctional service.

She was delighted by the inmates who memorised the Quran as well as the brilliance of some inmates who got nine credits in the National Examination Council (NECO) and are seeking admission into the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

The chairperson called on all inmates to obey the rules of the custodial centre and be productive to themselves and society.

She assured the controller that she would present their cases to the state governor for consideration.

ACCORDING to Buni, the prerogative of mercy is part of this year’s Ramadan fasting period.

Information Officer of the Ministry of Justice, Alhassan Mamudo, stated, yesterday, in Damaturu: “The inmates were pardoned by Buni based on the advice of the Yobe State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy led by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Saleh Samanja.”

Mamudo, in the statement, noted that the Advisory Council, before the release of inmates, had visited Potiskum, Nguru and Gashua correctional services for the pardoning.

The visits, he added, were to find out those who deserve to enjoy the executive pardon.

He said the release of the inmates was to enable them to enjoy freedom through the executive power vested in Buni.

“On the eve of Ramadan, the governor also approved the release of food items to all the correctional facilities in the state,” he said.