Gov Uba Sani gives freed inmates N100k each after granting clemency

Governor Uba Sani has fulfilled his promise to support former inmates released under his Democracy Day clemency by giving each of them N100,000 to help them rebuild their lives.

The Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre said the financial support would encourage the former inmates to become law-abiding citizens. Governor Sani granted clemency to 97 inmates on June 12 and promised to assist them financially after their release.

Speaking after Kaduna State Government officials presented the cash on Friday, the Assistant Controller in charge of the custodial centre, Dalhat Ibrahim, praised the governor’s gesture.

He said the support “will help us in achieving the reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the ex inmates.”

He added, “By paying the fine of the inmates and giving them financial assistance, this will encourage them to go and do what they are supposed to do. They are now set to be reintegrated into the society.”

Ibrahim advised the former inmates to use the money as start-up capital for businesses or to begin a new chapter in life.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, Mohammed Suleiman, said the payment marked the final stage of the clemency programme announced on June 12.

He said the government was fulfilling Governor Sani’s promise by giving each released inmate N100,000 and urged them to remain of good behaviour and avoid any criminal activities that could send them back to prison.

One of the beneficiaries, Chuks Solomon from Ebonyi State, thanked the governor, saying, “this opportunity for us to be out of prison. We very much appreciate what he has done for us.”

He added, “We thank him for giving us the money because some of us will use it as capital to start a business. We pray that God will continue to bless him.”

Another former inmate, Abubakar Umar, who spoke in Hausa, described the day as one of the happiest in their lives and prayed for God’s blessings on Governor Sani, Kaduna State and Nigeria.