Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State has granted clemency to 113 inmates from the Sokoto Correctional Centre, a gesture aimed at decongesting the facility and promoting social reintegration.
The announcement was made by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Nasiru Binji, on behalf of the governor. Binji highlighted that the pardon aligns with the provisions of Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Of the 113 pardoned inmates, 67 were released unconditionally, while the death sentences of 22 inmates were commuted to life imprisonment. Twenty-two (22) inmates serving life sentences had their terms reduced to 25 years, and two others had their sentences reduced by two years,” Binji stated.
Governor Aliyu encouraged the released inmates to embrace positive changes and reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens. “The change in behavior you have acquired here should remain a priority as you return home. Ensure your life is different from when you arrived, and do not allow yourselves to return to this place,” he advised.
As part of efforts to ease their reintegration, Governor Aliyu also announced a donation of N50,000 to each of the 67 released inmates to assist them in rebuilding their lives.
The Sokoto State Controller of Correctional Services, Mr. Lawal Gusau, expressed his gratitude to the governor, describing the gesture as a significant step towards reducing overcrowding in correctional facilities across the country.
