From John Adams, Minna
The Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, has granted a state pardon to 11 persons that were sentenced to death after they were indicted in a communal dispute in the state.
They were said to have committed murder during a communal clash between two communities in Lavun Local Government Areas of the state sometime in 2018.
State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Muhammad Mu’azu disclosed this while briefing journalists on Tuesday as part of activities of the Ministry in the past two years.
He said the Governor exercised his powers as contained in section 212 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended, which empowers him to grant the 11 convicts unconditional pardon.
He pointed out further that the decision of the Governor follows plea by the families of the eleven convicts.
Mua’zu emphasized that “After reviewing by the advice of the council on prerogative of mercy in the state, Governor Bago decided to grant the affected individuals unconditional pardon on May 28th, 2025”.
The Commissioner, who, however, did not give details of compromises reached, reached out to both sides before the pardon and told journalists how the Governor decided to act to bring lasting peace to the Gaba and Anfani communities, which had for years been locked in a communal feud.
He further explained a series of peacebuilding meetings were held between the representatives of the two warring communities before reaching a truce and the eventual pardon.
The Commissioner said, “Promises were made by the Governor to both communities to find a lasting solution to the perennial clash, but I can’t disclose the details”.
The Commissioner gave the names of the pardoned convicts as; Mohammed Mohammed, Ndana Alhaji Sheshi, Isah Baba Nmadu, Mohammed Mohammed NdaBida, Abubakar Baba Salihu, and Baba Mohammed Shaba.
Others are Adamu Mohammed Babaminin, Haruna Muhammed, Isah Mohammed Alhaji Inuwa, Isah Mohammed and Ibrahim Mohammed.
