Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano state, has pardoned 136 inmates as part of measures to decongest the correctional centres in the state.
In a statement on Wednesday, Abba Anwar, the governor’s spokesman, said the governor took the decision when he visited Goron-dutse Medium Correctional Centre on Tuesday.
He said Ganduje asked the inmates to be people of sound character when they are finally reintegrated into society.
“In your position as Nigerians who deserve to be taken care of, we are here today, Sallah Day, to celebrate with you this great Sallah period, by way of releasing some of you who are pardoned,” Ganduje said.
“We are here to also see how you are feeling and to share our joyous moment with you. We want those of you who repented to promise not to go back to their previous nefarious acts.”
Ganduje said some of the inmates were pardoned either owing to ill-health or because they have stayed longer than necessary.
He said some others were incarcerated because they were not able to pay the fines against them.
“The pardoning exercise is in compliance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive to decongest correctional centres across the country,” the statement quoted Ganduje as saying.
In his remarks, Sulaiman Sulaiman, controller, Kano correctional centres, commended the governor for being humane by relating with inmates.
“I have worked for 30 years in many states. I have never seen a state governor who cares very much about the plight of inmates in our correctional centres as Gov Ganduje,” he said.
Sulaiman thanked the governor for giving inmates cattle and rams to celebrate the Eid el Kabir.
“After releasing them, each of the inmates was given the sum of Five Thousand Naira to use as transport money, back to their various destinations,” the statement reads.
