The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Friday, exonerated 153 inmates with minor offences serving in jail terms in different correctional facilities in the State.
Mohammed said the action was carried out after due consultations with the State council on the Prerogative of mercy
The Governor said each of the 153 inmates would be given the sum of N50,000, totalling N7.6 million as capital, to help them start up  small businesses in their various communities.
He said; “We are providing each and every freed inmate the sum of N50,000 to start a small business with a view to making them self reliant.’’
“We believe that empowering the poor economically is one of the best ways to ensure peace, security and crime prevention.’’
“Similarly, the fines and penalties of the affected inmates have been fully settled to facilitate their immediate release from the various correctional services.”
“That is why it is easy for any public spirited individual to pay because all their fines range from N5,000, N8,000, N10,000 and the highest being N30,000. This is very incredible.’’
“The men that I will be pardoning today, are of no use to their society if they are left languishing alongside hardened criminals.
“I will be pardoning them with the expectation that they would go back and be an asset to their communities and work to support their families, our beloved state and nation,” he added.
Mohammed further urged the pardoned inmates to henceforth, be law abiding citizens and engage in legitimate endeavours by taking advantage of the various empowerment windows provided by his administration.