Uba Sani Grants Clemency To 27 Inmates In Kaduna

Amarachi Ihesiulo

October 3, 2026
2 min read
Governor Uba Sani

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has granted clemency to 27 inmates across correctional facilities in the state as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

The latest intervention brings the number of inmates who have benefited from clemency measures under the Sani administration to more than 500 since the governor assumed office in May 2023, according to the Kaduna State Government.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Kaduna.

He said the exercise formed part of the administration’s restorative justice initiative, which seeks to provide deserving inmates with opportunities to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into society.

The latest intervention reportedly covered the release of eligible inmates, while previous interventions have also involved the payment of fines and compensation for victims.

According to the state government, more than N300 million has been committed to the payment of fines and compensation for victims since Sani became governor.

The initiative is being implemented alongside the state’s broader approach to justice, rehabilitation and public safety.

Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, James Kanyip, said the latest clemency exercise was consistent with the governor’s practice of extending mercy to deserving inmates during significant national occasions.

Previous clemency interventions have reportedly been carried out during New Year celebrations, Democracy Day and Independence Day.

The latest exercise was timed to coincide with Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, which was marked on October 1.

The state government said the intervention was intended to give deserving inmates another opportunity to rebuild their lives outside the correctional system.

The clemency programme also forms part of wider discussions around prison congestion, rehabilitation and reintegration of inmates into society.

Rather than focusing solely on incarceration, restorative justice programmes typically seek to balance accountability with rehabilitation and the possibility of reintegration, particularly for inmates who meet established conditions for release.

The Kaduna Government said the latest exercise reflected its commitment to a justice system that combines accountability and public safety with rehabilitation, reconciliation and second chances.

The government did not provide detailed information on the individual circumstances of the 27 beneficiaries, including the offences for which they were serving sentences or the specific facilities from which they were released.

The latest intervention nonetheless adds to the series of clemency exercises undertaken by the state administration since 2023.