El-Rufai frees prisoners, commutes death sentences

Nine prisoners serving various jail terms in Kaduna State were yesterday set free by  Governor Nasir El-Rufai to mark Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary. He also commuted the death sentences of five convicts to prison terms. The governor, who made the announcement at a parade held at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, said the amnesty […]

Nine prisoners serving various jail terms in Kaduna State were yesterday set free by  Governor Nasir El-Rufai to mark Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary. He also commuted the death sentences of five convicts to prison terms.
The governor, who made the announcement at a parade held at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, said the amnesty was in accordance with the powers conferred on him by Section 212 of the Nigerian constitution.
El-Rufai said: “Government commuted the death sentences of five convicts who will now serve prison terms. Five prisoners serving sentences of three years and above were released on the basis of good behaviour or time already served.
“In addition, three prisoners were released on the basis of age while one was released due to ill health. In doing our duty to show mercy, the government warns that it would not tolerate crime and threats to security.”
He also declared a ‘state of emergency’ on the education sector, saying his administration was more than determined  to tackle the educational problem in the state to free the people from ignorance by bequeathing quality education that would be accessible to all as a legacy.
He said the provision of free basic education in decent schools with skilled teachers is one priority his government would accomplish in its four-year term.