Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state has granted pardon to 46 inmates spread across the various correctional centres in the state.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Nasara Dan-Mallam, stated this Sunday in a press statement issued in Minna.
The commissioner, who is also the chairman of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, explained that the release of the inmates was in compliance with presidential recommendation that directing state governors to grant pardon to deserving inmates with a view to decongesting the prisons.
He said, “the pardoned inmates were considered for release based on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on prerogative of mercy with due consideration to old age, ill health, convicts serving three years and above with less than six months to serve among several others.”
He advised the released inmates to make use of their freedom by engaging in useful ventures and shun any act that could lead them to crime.
The commissioner enjoined the pardoned inmates to be of good behavior and become productive to the society, adding that “Government wants you to be good citizens for the socio-economic and political development of Niger State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.”