By Salisu Baso
Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is paying N10 million for the release of prisoners on debt related matters in the state for them to enjoy the governor’s Prerogative of Mercy.
The chairman of the state Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba Rano revealed this to The Triumph in an interview in his office recently.
He described the gesture as exceptional, adding that the amount is being spent on fines and court settlement.
He said Governor Ganduje had played a great role in the area of human development, thanking him and his wife, Prof. Hafsat Abdullahi Ganduje for giving the council all the support and encouragement to become a role model.
Alhaji Rano then commended the existing cordial relationship between the government and Correctional Services as well as courts in the state, stressing that the two bodies were working hand in hand to ensure effectiveness.
He added that the governor had since directed for the renovation and construction of perimeter wall in all the satellites of the 12 local government areas.
He thanked the governor for the cooperation accorded to the council.
The chairman also explained that recently, the governor approved the release of eight people from Garun Mallam Local Government Area who were being imprisoned for a long time after killing one person as part governor’s mercy.
He said the governor had also reduced the punishments of Hassana Abdullahi, Abbas Muhammad and Samaila from death sentence to life imprisonment; including two people of Juma village in Rano Local Government Area of the state who were convicted and condemned, but now reduced their sentence to life imprisonment.
Alhaji Rano, who is the Senior Special Assistant on Correctional Homes to the governor, further said the affected people have spent some years in the prison without any judgment.
According to him, considering the economic situation of the country, which many people were convicted as a result of debts, fines as well as breach of business agreements, the governor has paid the amount to release a total number of 3,898 since he assumed office.
The chairman also said during every Eid period, Governor Ganduje used to donate cows, rams, bags of rice and cooking materials to the 13 correctional homes in the state, while at the Children Remand Home, each inmate used to receive a brand new cloth to celebrate for the day.
