In a remarkable act of mercy, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, the outgoing Governor of Niger State, has granted clemency to twenty-four convicts, including those who were previously sentenced to death. Additionally, Governor Bello has paid fines totaling N20 million on behalf of eighty other inmates, enabling them to regain their freedom.
The announcement was made on Friday by Nasara Danmallam, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, during the handover ceremony of the Ministry of Justice to its Permanent Secretary. The Governor exercised his prerogative of mercy to pardon the selected inmates, offering them a chance to rebuild their lives.
Among the beneficiaries of this act of clemency, six are former civil servants who had been implicated in fraudulent activities and other related offenses, resulting in their dismissal. These individuals have now been reinstated, and those who have reached retirement age will retire with full benefits, according to the Attorney General.
Providing further insight into the achievements of the outgoing administration, Danmallam revealed that a total of 115 bills and legal instruments had been enacted into law during Governor Bello’s eight-year tenure. He also highlighted the establishment of the Gender Issues Department within the Ministry of Justice, which successfully resolved 1,400 out of 1,500 cases received in 2020, leading to the reunification of numerous families.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s parting gift to the state reflects his commitment to justice, compassion, and rehabilitation, offering a glimmer of hope to those previously trapped in the confines of their sentences.