Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has pardoned 46 inmates who were serving different jail terms in the state.
Addressing newsmen immediately after the pardon, the state commissioner for justice, Barrister Junaidu Attahir said the inmates were pardoned by the Governor based on committee’s recommendations.
Attahir said the governor has the power to pardon any convict as provided by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
He said, “Under section 212 of the 1999 constitution as amended, the Governor has the power to release or remit any convict.
“Once somebody committed an offence, the Governor has the power to pardon him.”
He maintained that a committee was set up under the state law to advise the Governor on the inmates who were considered to be reformed.
According to the commissioner, 46 inmates were found to be of good character, as such they were pardoned by the governor based on the Nigerian constitution.
The commissioner stressed that each of the 46 pardoned inmates were given the sum of N20,000 for clothing and transport fares.
