COVID-19: Niger Grants Amnesty to 47 Prison Inmates

COVID-19: Niger Grants Amnesty to 47 Prison Inmates

The Governor of Niger State, His Excellency Alh Abubakar Sani Bello has granted pardon to forty seven (47) inmates across the state custodial centres.

In a statement issued by the attorney general and commissioner of justice Niger State, Barrister Nasara Danmallam who is also the chairman of the advisory committee on prerogative of mercy explained that the release of the inmates was as a result of the presidential directive that state should consider grant of pardon to deserving inmates with a view to decongest and contain the spread of Corona virus in the prisons.

Break down of the release in the custodial centres of the command are as follows:
1. Minna old medium security custodial centre (1)One.
2. Minna New medium security custodial centre Tunga (6) Six.
3. New Bussa (9) Nine.
4. Agaie (2) Two.
5. Bida (10) Ten.
6. Lapai (7) Seven
7. Kontagora (12) Twelve. These bring the total number of inmates pardoned to (47) forty seven.

The controller of corrections Niger State command Labbo Ibrahim Maradun on his part disclosed that the pardon inmates were considered based on the criteria set by the presidency which includes ill health, those with option of fines, convicts serving three years and above with less than six months to serve, old age among others.

CC Maradun further adviced the released inmates to be of good conduct and avoid any act that will bring them back to jail. The controller enjoined them to use the skills they acquired while in custody so as to be productive members of the society by contributing meaningfully to the socio economic and political growth and development of the state and the nation in general.

Rabiu Mohammed Shuaibu
CPRO Niger State command. [email protected]