COVID-19: CJ pardons 62 prisoners in Zamfara

Following ravaging coronavirus pandemic, the chief judge (CJ) of Zamfara State, Justice Kulu Aliyu has granted amnesty to 62 prisoners including five criminals condemned to death but were committed to life imprisonment.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the visit to Gusau Medium Correctional Centre today, Justice Kulu Aliyu said the amnesty was in line with the directives given by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of justice to decongest prisons.

According to her, those considered for pardon were people with old age, health conditions, bailable case and those who overstayed without trial (awaiting trial) in the state.

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She advised those pardoned to be of good character and avoid anything that would make them break law and order in the state and country at large.

In his remark at the correctional centre, the Zamfara State Controller Sani Adamu Pataskum lauded the efforts of the CJ for granting freedom to that number of prisoners.

Sani Pataskum gave the breakdown of those released to include 24 people who are awaiting trial, 26 on bail, those jailed and were close to complete their term and five persons on the condemned list were pardoned to life imprisonment.

Earlier on, the Zamfara State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nura Zarumi revealed that the exercise will continue to decongest prisons in the state.

Zarumi appreciated the efforts of the present administration of Governor Bello Matawalle where he announced the donation of transport fee to their home towns for all those pardoned.