12
Jun
Jun
BORNO GOVERNOR GRANTS PARDON TO 66 INMATES ON DEMOCRACY DAY
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CapitalTimesNews / 18 hours
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Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has granted state and partial pardons to 66 inmates at the Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre as part of activities to commemorate the 2025 Democracy Day. During his visit to the facility, Zulum commuted some death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced other jail terms. “Based on the powers conferred on me under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, I hereby grant state and partial pardons to 66 inmates of the Maximum Custodial Centre,” Zulum declared. The governor also announced plans to enhance vocational training at the prison, introducing programs in literacy, numeracy, and digital skills. “I have directed the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation to liaise with the management of Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre to enhance the vocational training centre, ensuring the provision of intensive literacy, numeracy and digital skills,” he said. In a gesture of goodwill, Zulum donated 300 bags of rice, 50 jerrycans of cooking oil, and five cows to the inmates. Each of the 1,280 inmates also received a cash gift of ₦20,000, which will be managed by officials of the Correctional Centre. “Let me clarify that the ₦20,000 cash assistance will be handed over to officials of the Correctional Centre, as stipulated by law, but you will have access to it whenever needed,” Zulum emphasized. Controller of Borno State Correctional Service, Ahmed Bawa, commended the governor for his unprecedented support, describing it as the first of its kind. “This is the first time in history that we have received such immense support from the Borno State Government under the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum,” Bawa said. Inmate leader Daniel Simon also praised the governor’s magnanimity, expressing gratitude that the dividends of good governance under Zulum’s leadership are being felt even in the correctional centre.
