Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has ordered for the release of 24 convicts as part of activities to mark this year’s Democracy Day.

He made this known during a special broadcast to the people of the state on Monday.

“On this day, as we celebrate democracy, our mid-term and the third day of Ramadan, we seek to also discharge our obligation to demonstrate mercy.

“Accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by law, I have acted on the recommendations of the state committee on the prerogative of mercy, chaired by our Attorney-General, in respect of 24 prisoners. Release orders have been signed for 23 convicts, including 15 who have three years or less to complete their terms.

“Four have been pardoned for good behaviour, two are released on grounds of age and one person serving life is pardoned, after 25 years in jail. One convict who has spent 23 years on death row is released, while the death sentence of one convict has been commuted to life in prison.

“As we observe Democracy Day, I call on the people of Kaduna State to continue to pray for the good health and safe return of our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari. Across our diverse faiths, I humbly request that we pray in unison for peace in land, that harmony will replace strife in the places of conflict and that we all can rediscover, uphold and protect a common humanity.

“In two years, we can proudly say that much has been done, but more remains. Let us do it together. Let us remain united, respecting each other, celebrating our diversity and shunning all those who seek to prosper by setting us asunder. Let us not waver in making Kaduna great again,” he concluded.

Source: TRIBUNE