Zulum announcing the pardon at the Correctional centre in Maiduguri on Thursday
In commemoration of 2025 Democracy Day, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State has on Thursday granted state and partial pardons to 66 inmates serving various prison terms at the Maiduguri Maximum Custodial Centre.
The governor who visited the centre as part of his activities for the day also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced jail terms for other inmates.
According to a statement from the Government House Press Unit, the governor’s 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 pardons to 66 inmates of the Maximum Custodial Centre.
“I have also commuted death sentences to life imprisonment and reduced the jail terms of some other inmates as part of activities to celebrate this year’s Democracy Day,” the governor declared
Zulum, who reiterated his commitment to continue to support the welfare of inmates, further announced plans to strengthen the vocational training centre within the facility and provide intensive literacy, numeracy, and digital skills programmes for the 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, ensuring the provision of intensive literacy, numeracy and digital skills. This will enable inmates to acquire valuable skills while serving their sentences,” he said.
The governor also donated 300 bags of rice, 50 jerrycans of cooking oil and five cows.
Other support includes a cash gift of N20,000 to each of the 1,280 inmates to improve their living conditions.
“Let me clarify that the N20,000 cash assistance will be handed over to officials of the Correctional Centre, as stipulated by law, but you will have access to it whenever needed,” he explained.
Governor Zulum urged the inmates to maintain good conduct and refrain from actions that could disrupt the peace and progress of the state.
Earlier, the Controller of the Correctional Service, Ahmed Bawa, commended the governor for his unprecedented support to the facility and its inmates, describing it as first of its kind.
“This is the first time in history that we have received such immense support from the Borno State Government under the leadership of Professor Babagana Umara Zulum.
“In May this year, the governor provided the facility with 100 bags of rice, 20 cartons of cooking oil and 10 bulls. Today, he visited us again. On behalf of the management, staff, and inmates, we are deeply grateful,” Bawa said.
In his remarks, the Sarki (leader) of the inmates, Daniel Simon, commended Zulum for his magnanimity.
He said it was a big relief and pleasure that the dividends of the good governance under Zulum’s administration is being felt everywhere in the state including the correctional centre.
