Adamawa, Plateau, Nasarawa Govs Free 24 Prisoners On Independence Day

A total of twenty-four prison inmates regained their freedom in Adamawa, Plateau, and Nasarawa states in commemoration of the 63rd Independence Day, reports revealed.

Naija News learnt that in Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, approved the pardon of three inmates, namely Zaro Boniface, Luka Grastone, and Alhaji Jauro Banyi.

The trio were said to be serving prison sentences in the Numan correctional facility. The governor is also said to have approved the commutation of the death sentence for one prisoner, Jibrilla Usman, from the old custodial centre in Yola.

The governor took the decision following the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy and in line with the powers conferred on him under Section 212(i) (d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, confirmed the development to journalists, noting that all necessary legal formalities have been completed with the correctional institutions.

In Plateau

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, is also said to have approved the freedom of a prisoner who was handed a life sentence earlier by a court in the state.

The governor also intervened for the judgements of others to be reviewed.

Naija News understands that Governor Mutfwang confirmed the development on Sunday, October 1, in a statewide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary.

The Plateau State governor said he applied his prerogative of mercy as the governor to review the prisoners’ sentences following the recommendations of the Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

“Danladi Musa, who was sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Culpable Homicide and has served 17 years, is granted an absolute pardon. Tali Zingtim, who was sentenced to death by hanging for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, will serve 21 years imprisonment.

“Ponzing Nanshep, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, will serve 21 years imprisonment. Dauda Joshua, who was sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide, will serve life imprisonment,” he said.

Mutfwang said though the state has suffered some setbacks in recent times, his administration is determined to turn the tide and match to greatness.

Nasarawa Frees 20 Inmates

In a comparable manner, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has declared the exoneration of 20 inmates from prison, in accordance with the constitutional provision and the prerogative of mercy.

The announcement was made during a broadcast commemorating Nigeria’s 63rd independence anniversary and the 27th anniversary of the state’s establishment. Additionally, the governor disclosed that the state’s cash transfer program for impoverished families would be increased from ₦5,000 to ₦7,500 per month.

Governor Sule reiterated his administration’s commitment to allocating significant resources to improve the educational sector, including the employment of approximately 3,500 teachers in state secondary schools and additional teaching and non-teaching personnel in state tertiary institutions, all aimed at advancing the educational development of the state.