146 prisoners released in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Government has actualized the release of 146 inmates from prisons across the state.

Speaking during a ceremony at the Bauchi Central Prison yesterday, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for justice, Ibrahim Umar, disclosed that Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar signed for the immediate release of the inmates on the 21st of June 2016, and that the inmates were released based on the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative Of Mercy.

“The council took time to visit all the operational prisons which include Ningi, Jama’re, Azare, Misau and Bauchi,” he said, explaining that those released were the ones sentenced to three years and above but have only six months left to complete their jail term, as well as long-term prisoners who had served for more than 10 years and persons above the age of 60 years.

The commissioner said the governor chose the month of Ramadan to release the inmates due to its significance as the month of mercy.

In his address, the Comptroller of Prisons, Bauchi State Command, Alhaji Sidi Muhammed said that the Attorney General of the state, upon assumption of duty, resuscitated the Prerogative Of Mercy and the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee.

On her part, wife of the state governor, Barrister Aisha Abubakar donated five yards of Brocade to each of the freed inmates and donated a cow to the other inmates for the coming Salah celebration.