The Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has exercised his prerogative of mercy by granting state pardon to 24 inmates and paying N20m in fines for 80 others who were unable to pay their judgement debts.
The State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasara Danmallam, disclosed this while handing over the affairs of the Ministry of Justice to the permanent secretary in Minna.
“As a parting gift,” the commissioner explained, “Governor Bello has granted pardon to 24 inmates across the state under his powers of prerogative of mercy. Some of them have been on death row whose sentences have been commuted to a few years of prison term.”
The commissioner disclosed that six civil servants convicted of fraud and other related offences had benefitted from the Governor’s pardon. The six dismissed civil servants were also reportedly reinstated, and those who were due for retirement were to be retired with full benefits.
Additionally, Governor Bello spent a total sum of N20m to pay judgement debts for 80 inmates in a bid to support the underprivileged individuals before his tenure ended on May 24, 2021.
The Commissioner further noted that during Governor Bello’s administration, a total of 115 bills and legal instruments were promulgated into law. He expressed gratitude to the staff of the Ministry of Justice for their contributions to the success recorded under his leadership in the state.
