Eleven Convicts Freed As El-Rufai Announces New Year Pardon

No fewer than eleven convicts have been pardoned by the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai.

The governor's pardon was in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 212 of the Nigeria's 1999 Constitution as amended.

According to a statement issued by the state government on Sunday, the governor's decision was influenced by the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

As reported the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the statement added: "It was customary to extend a gesture of compassion on New Year day by granting pardon to deserving prisoners within the jurisdiction of the state."

Those pardoned include Musa John, Yakubu Abdullahi, Habu Usman, Shamsu Usman, Abdullahi Abdulmumuni, and Mahadi Abdullahi.

Others include Futune Mabuke, Abdullahi Lawal, Sunday Iliya, Mohammed Anas and Kayode Adenji.

“Kaduna State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy based its recommendations on convicts serving sentences of three years or more who have six months.

“They must have not more than six months to serve and long term prisoners who have served ten years or more of their sentence with good conduct, and convicts suffering from ill health likely to terminate in death. 

"The committee also considered private submissions for clemency made to the governor", the statement reads.

The governor while wishing the people of Kaduna a happy New Year appreciated them for supporting him throughout his service years.