Governors Grant Pardon to Over 250 Inmates for Independence

On October 1, as part of Nigeria's 66th Independence Day celebrations, governors from Plateau, Kogi, Taraba, and Adamawa states granted pardons to over 250 inmates. Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau announced the largest number, granting absolute pardon to 130 inmates and commuting the death sentences of four others to life imprisonment after consulting the Plateau State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

In Kogi, Governor Usman Ododo pardoned 101 inmates, citing reasons such as old age, medical conditions, and good conduct. He emphasized the importance of using this second chance responsibly.

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba pardoned 24 inmates during his statewide broadcast, while Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa pardoned nine inmates and commuted the death sentence of Saidu Abdullahi to life imprisonment. The pardons and commutations took immediate effect following legal formalities with the Nigerian Correctional Service, totaling 264 beneficiaries across the four states.