By Sam Kayode
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has granted state and partial pardons to 66 inmates serving various 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 on Baga Road as part of his engagements to mark the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations.
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 pardons to 66 inmates of the Maximum Custodial Centre,” Zulum declared.
“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,” he added.
Governor Zulum further 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, ensuring 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, along with 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. emphasized.
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 Borno State 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 Borno State Government under the leadership of Professor Babagana 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 has visited us again. On behalf of the management, staff, and inmates, we are deeply grateful,” Bawa remarked.
In his vote of thanks, the Sarki of the inmates, Daniel Simon, commended Gov. Zulum’s magnanimity, expressing their pleasure that the dividends of the good governance of Prof. Zulum is being felt even in the correctional centre.
