Gov Matawalle Frees 46 Zamfara Prison Inmates, Settles Each With N20,000

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has approved the release of forty-six prison inmates in the state.

Naija News understands that the citizens serving different jail terms were pardoned and returned to the community to start a new life.

According to the state commissioner for justice, Barrister Junaidu Attahir, the governor acted in mindful of the Nigerian constitution.

Attahir, who was addressing journalists shortly after the pardon of the inmates, said those released were selected based on the recommendations of a committee set up by the state governor.

He reiterated that Governor Matawalle, just like his counterparts in other states, has the power to pardon any convict as provided by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.

He said, “Under section 212 of the 1999 constitution as amended, the Governor has the power to release or remit any convict.

“Once somebody committed an offence, the Governor has the power to pardon him.”

He maintained that a committee was set up under state law to advise the Governor on the inmates considered to be reformed. According to the commissioner, 46 inmates were found to be of good character; as such, they were pardoned by the governor based on the Nigerian constitution.

The commissioner stressed that each of the 46 pardoned inmates was given the sum of N20,000 for clothing and transport fares.