The Kaduna State Government has fulfilled Governor Uba Sani’s promise to support 97 inmates granted clemency on Democracy Day, with each beneficiary receiving N100,000 to aid their successful reintegration into society. The financial assistance was presented to the former inmates on Friday at the Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre as part of the final phase of implementing the governor’s constitutional prerogative of mercy announced on June 12.
The Kaduna inmate reintegration initiative follows the release of the 97 beneficiaries after Governor Sani exercised his constitutional powers to grant them clemency. During the presentation ceremony, the Officer in Charge of the Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre, Assistant Controller Dalhat Ibrahim, described the intervention as a significant contribution to the rehabilitation process.
He said the governor’s support went beyond facilitating the inmates’ release by providing them with financial resources to help them begin a new chapter in their lives. According to Ibrahim, the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that the beneficiaries have an opportunity to become productive members of society.
“By paying the fines of the inmates and giving them financial assistance, this will encourage them to do what they are supposed to do. They are now set to be reintegrated into society,” he said.
Ibrahim advised the former inmates to invest the funds wisely by using them as seed capital for small businesses or other legitimate income-generating ventures.
He also urged them to remain law-abiding citizens and avoid actions that could result in a return to custody. The Kaduna inmate reintegration programme is expected to ease the transition of the beneficiaries back into their communities while reducing the challenges often associated with post-release rehabilitation.
Also speaking during the presentation, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Protocol, Alhaji Mohammed Suleiman, said the disbursement marked the completion of Governor Sani’s pledge made during the Democracy Day celebrations. Suleiman explained that he led the state government delegation to the custodial centre to formally present the financial support to each of the released inmates.
He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity by maintaining exemplary conduct and staying away from activities that could jeopardise their freedom. According to him, the assistance reflects the administration’s commitment to giving deserving individuals a genuine second chance.
The beneficiaries welcomed the support and expressed gratitude to the Kaduna State Government for the opportunity to rebuild their lives. One of the recipients, Chuks Solomon from Ebonyi State, thanked Governor Uba Sani for granting them both freedom and financial assistance.
“We thank the governor for giving us this opportunity to regain our freedom. We also appreciate the financial support because some of us will use it as capital to start a business. We pray that God continues to bless him,” Solomon said.
Another beneficiary, Abubakar Umar, who spoke in Hausa, described the occasion as one of the happiest moments of their lives. He offered prayers for Governor Uba Sani, Kaduna State and Nigeria, asking God to grant the governor continued wisdom and success in his leadership.
The Kaduna inmate reintegration initiative highlights the state’s broader approach to criminal justice reform by combining clemency with economic support aimed at reducing recidivism. By providing financial assistance alongside freedom, the Kaduna State Government hopes to equip the former inmates with the resources needed to establish lawful means of livelihood, promote social reintegration and encourage long-term rehabilitation.
