Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has granted clemency to 97 inmates at the Kaduna Correctional Centre as part of activities marking the 2026 Democracy Day celebration.
The governor also announced cash grants for the beneficiaries and offered them admission opportunities into state-owned vocational training institutes to support their reintegration into society.
Speaking during a ceremony at the correctional facility on Friday, Sani said Democracy Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by Nigerians in the struggle for democratic governance and to recommit to the values of justice, freedom and national unity.
“Democracy Day provides an opportunity to honour the sacrifices of those who struggled for the restoration of democratic governance and to renew our commitment to the ideals of justice, freedom and national unity,” he said.
The governor explained that the clemency was granted under the constitutional Prerogative of Mercy following recommendations by the Kaduna State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy after reviewing eligible cases.
According to him, the exercise involved outright release, commutation of sentences and payment of fines for selected inmates.
“While justice must be upheld, we must never lose sight of the transformative power of redemption and the importance of second chances,” Sani stated.
He urged the freed inmates to make good use of the opportunity by embracing lawful and productive lives.
To aid their rehabilitation, the governor announced cash grants for all beneficiaries and offered admission into the Kaduna State Skills Acquisition and Vocational Institutes located in Soba, Rigachikun and Samaru-Kataf.
He said the initiative was designed to equip the former inmates with practical skills that would enable them to become self-reliant and contribute positively to society.
Sani also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community organisations and residents to support the reintegration of the beneficiaries.
“Successful rehabilitation requires collective societal support. We must all play our part in ensuring that those who have served their time are allowed to rebuild their lives,” he said.
As part of efforts to strengthen correctional services in the state, the governor approved the donation of a utility bus to the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kaduna State Command, as well as medical equipment and consumables to improve healthcare delivery within the correctional centre.
In a separate Democracy Day message, Sani described June 12 as a watershed moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey, saying the annulled 1993 presidential election showed that Nigerians could rise above ethnic, religious and regional differences in pursuit of a common national goal.
The governor, who participated in the pro-democracy struggle, paid tribute to Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Kudirat Abiola and Bola Ahmed Tinubu for their roles in the pro-democracy movement.
“Their courage remains a powerful reminder that freedom is never free and that democracy must be nurtured, protected and strengthened by every generation,” the governor said.
