Gov El-Rufai Sets 25 Prisoners Free On Nigeria's 60th Independence Day

Nasir El-Rufai

Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has set 25 prisoners free and also reduced the sentence of nine others on the occasion of Nigeria's 60th Independence.

The governor disclosed this in his message to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary, on Thursday, October 1, in Kaduna.

He said: "As we mark the diamond jubilee of our country’s freedom, it is customary that we extend a gesture of mercy to some persons that are serving their sentence in prisons within Kaduna State.

"I have exercised powers vested by Section 212 of the Constitution and accepted the recommendations of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy to commute the sentences of 34 convicts.

"Based on this decision, 25 convicts are to be released, while others have had their sentences reduced, including committal of death sentences for some convicted armed robbers to life imprisonment."

El-Rufai stressed the commitment of his government to ensure peace and harmony in various communities.