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Governor Fintiri Pardons Nine Inmates, Commutes Death Sentence to Mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary In commemoration of Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day celebration, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has granted pardons to nine inmates serving various terms in correctional facilities across the state. A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, said the Governor ordered the immediate release of the pardoned inmates, noting that all legal formalities had been concluded with the Nigerian Correctional Service. “The Governor acted on the advice of the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 212(1)(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the statement said. According to the statement, those granted pardon and discharged include Abubakar Dajo, who was serving at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Jos; Zabadi Ayuba and Salvation Nyamso, both serving at the Numan Custodial Centre. Others are Amir Idris, Mohammed Saidu, Yaro Sambo, Buhari Salisu, Urube Samuel and Bamaiyi Amos, who were discharged from the Jimeta, Ganye, Guyuk, Yola Old and Kojoli Custodial Centres, respectively. In addition to the pardons, Governor Fintiri approved the commutation of the death sentence imposed on one inmate, Saidu Abdullahi of the Yola Old Custodial Centre, to life imprisonment. The Governor’s action, the statement noted, was in the spirit of the Independence anniversary and reflects the government’s commitment to mercy, justice and the rehabilitation of offenders. The pardons and commutation take immediate effect, the statement added.