Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has pardoned nine inmates serving various terms in correctional facilities and commuted the death sentence of another inmate to life imprisonment as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
The governor exercised the prerogative of mercy following the advice of the Advisory Committee and under the powers conferred on him by Section 212(1)(d) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
The development was contained in a statement by Humwashi Wonosikou, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, on Thursday in Yola.
The nine inmates pardoned are Abubakar Dajo, serving at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Jos; Zabadi Ayuba and Salvation Nyamso, serving at the Numan Custodial Centre.
Others are Amir Idris, Mohammed Saidu, Yaro Sambo, Buhari Salisu, Urube Samuel and Bamaiyi Amos.
The statement said the inmates were serving at the Jimeta, Ganye, Guyuk, Yola Old and Kojoli Custodial Centres.
Fintiri also commuted the death sentence of Saidu Abdullahi, an inmate at the Yola Old Custodial Centre, to life imprisonment.
The governor approved the measures to commemorate the 2026 Independence Day anniversary.
The pardon and commutation take immediate effect following the conclusion of all necessary legal formalities.
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Fintiri’s previous pardon exercises
The latest clemency is not the first time Fintiri has used his prerogative of mercy to release inmates or reduce their sentences during national celebrations.
On Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary in October 2025, Fintiri pardoned six inmates serving various sentences in correctional facilities across Adamawa State. The beneficiaries were Wamari Goodwin and Abraham Marksunil of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Mubi; David Paul of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Numan; Ibrahim Adamu of the Satellite Custodial Facility, Maiha; Usman Inuwa of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Yola New; and Sani Yahaya of the Satellite Custodial Facility, Ganye.
Fintiri said at the time that the inmates had served various jail terms and demonstrated good conduct over the years. He ordered their immediate release after receiving recommendations from the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
In June 2024, during Democracy Day activities, Fintiri pardoned five inmates and commuted the death sentences of two others to life imprisonment.
The pardoned inmates were Ali Abdul, Mohammed Goni and Hapsatu Idi of the Yola Old Correctional Centre; Buba Usman Mai of the Numan Correctional Centre; and Yusuf Ali and Alabama Benson of the Yola New Correctional Facility.
The two death sentences commuted to life imprisonment were those of Usman Inuwa and Joseph Eugene, both serving at the Yola New Correctional Centre. The decision followed advice from the Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy and was made under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Fintiri also granted another round of clemency in December 2025 during the Christmas and New Year period.
He pardoned Sunday Jackson, a death-row inmate at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, alongside Joseph Eugene of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Yola, and Maxwell Ibrahim of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kaduna.
He also remitted the remaining sentences of Joshua James Audo, Adamu Ibrahim, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Usman and Saidu Abubakar, who were serving at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Numan, and the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Jada.
Fintiri said the beneficiaries had demonstrated significant improvement in their behaviour and conduct during incarceration and acted on the recommendations of the Adamawa State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
Crediblenewsng.com
