In compliance with the directives by the Federal Government to decongest correctional centres across the country in order to check the spread of COVID-19 pandemic, Bauchi State governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed, in exercising his powers to grant pardon, has granted pardon to 69 inmates, who are currently serving various jail terms in various facilities across the State.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Barr Ali Shehu, the exercise was aimed at decongesting the custodial centres due to COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the country at the moment.

The inmates released, who are in three categories, comprising of those with fine and compensation, inmates without fine and compensation and the third category were recommended for release during the council meeting.
In his remarks after the exercise, the Controller of Corrections Bauchi State Command, Suleiman T Suleiman, commended the Bauchi State government for the timely intervention towards decongesting the Custodial facilities in order to curb the spread of coronavirus amongst inmates.

The Controller further advised the pardoned inmates to reciprocate the good gesture by shunning crime and becoming good citizens of the society.

He then appealed that the exercise, which is a continuous one, will soon look into other categories of inmates to benefit from it in order to further decongest the correctional centres as well as better the condition of the inmates.