In line with the spirit of this year’s independence celebrations, the Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima has granted prerogative of mercy to 42 prisoners in the state who were serving jail terms for various offences.?
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? In a release signed by the deputy director of Press to the governor, Mr Ndahi Pindar Sawa, Governor Shettima stated that as Nigeria celebrates its 51st Independence Anniversary, there is the need to demonstrate the spirit of patriotism, loyalty, dedication and greatness as a nation.?
? The category of prisoners released by the governor are prisoners who were pardoned on grounds of old age, ill health, long term serving prisoners who have stayed in the prison for 10 years and above and have records of good conduct and those who were sentenced to three years and above with less than six months to their release.?
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? Governor Kashim also directed that sentences of other 10 prisoners who have been condemned be commuted to life imprisonment, adding that there were also those pardoned on compassionate ground.?
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? The governor said that the prerogative of mercy was done in accordance with the powers vested on him by Section 212(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).?
? Shettima, while wishing them success in their future endeavours, also urged them to be good ambassadors so that collectively, ‘we shall build a reliable, vibrant and stronger economy and gradually get rid of criminality in Borno State and the country at large.’
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? He also felicitated with the good people of Borno State, as they celebrate this year’s independence anniversary, and urged them to continue to pray for the unity, progress, peace and stability of the nation, so that more dividends of democracy would be delivered to the people. ?