12 govs pardon 1,780 inmates to decongest prisons

In a sweeping effort to reduce overcrowding in Nigeria’s prison system, 12 state governors have granted clemency to more than 1,780 inmates nationwide since January 2024.

This coordinated approach to prison decongestion has seen hundreds of inmates regain their freedom, supported by state chief judges and non-governmental organisations, Sunday PUNCH gathered.

The year began with a mass pardon on New Year’s Day, as the governors of Benue, Nasarawa, Gombe, and Taraba states released 96 inmates.

On March 19, the Headford Foundation, an NGO focused on justice reform, facilitated the release of 628 wrongfully detained inmates across Lagos, Ekiti, Delta, Ogun, and Rivers states.

Following that, 38 inmates were pardoned by the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, on March 20.

On March 22, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, freed 96 inmates, just as Rivers State’s Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, released 24 inmates from the Port Harcourt Maximum Custodial Centre the same month.

The efforts continued on April 9, as Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda took action, settling fines to secure the release of 222 inmates, while Ogun State’s Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, ordered the release of 49 inmates on April 29 and 30.

On May 29, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, freed 13 inmates and Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and Kaduna Governor, Uba Sani, followed suit, pardoning 41 and 110 inmates, respectively.

Also, on September 12, Adamawa State’s Chief Judge, Justice Hasfat Abdulrahaman, released 156 inmates during visits to correctional centres in Yola.

On October 1, the governors of Ondo, Plateau, and Benue pardoned 128 inmates. On October 18, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal facilitated the release of 31 inmates.

Finally, on October 22, Kano State Chief Judge Justice Dije Abdu-Aboki ordered 37 inmates released from Goron Dutse Custodial Centre. The Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu pardoned 113 inmates from the Sokoto Correctional Centre.