Gombe state Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has pardoned 31 prisoners and commuted the death penalty passed on one other convict to 21 years’ imprisonment.
The convicts got clemency from the governor’s power on prerogative of mercy under Section 212(1) of the 1999 Constitution, sequel to recommendation by the Gombe State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, headed by the state Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Zubair Muhammad Umar.
The Council had earlier received 71 applications by convicts serving sentences in Gombe Medium Security and other Custodial Centres at Bajoga, Billiri, Cham and Tula.
The Council took into consideration the old age of applicants ( 50 years and above), young persons ( 16 years and below) and persons serving 3 years and above with less than 6 months to serve and record of good behaviour.
Ismaila Uba Misilli,Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity said the intervention of the Governor was extended to persons suffering from terminal illness,those serving long term sentences and have served more than 10 years and have record of good behaviour.
