From HASSAN JIRGI, Maiduguri
Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum has granted state and partial pardon to 66 inmates serving various prison terms at the Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre.
The governor also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced jail terms for other inmates.
Zulum made the announcement on Thursday during a visit to the facility as part of his engagements to mark the 2025 Democracy Day.
He stated that the decision followed recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and pledged continued support for the inmates.
“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 pardon to 66 inmates of the Maximum Custodial Centre.
“I have also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced the jail terms of other inmates as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Democracy Day,” he added.
Governor Zulum announced plans to strengthen the vocational training centre within the facility, providing intensive literacy, numeracy and digital skills programmes for inmates.
“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, ensure the provision of intensive literacy, numeracy and digital skills. This will enable inmates to acquire valuable skills while serving their sentences,” he said.
Additionally, the governor donated 300 bags of rice, 50 jerry cans of cooking oil and five cows, alongside a cash gift of N20,000 to each of the 1,280 inmates to improve their living conditions.
