A statement from Sir Kashim Ibrahim House said that the governor had released the convicts on Sunday, following a recommendation by the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy. The statement added that it was customary for a state governor to grant clemency or amnesty on New Year's Day as a gesture of goodwill toward prisoners who had served their time and were ready to rejoin society.
The Kaduna State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy had recommended that Musa John, Yakubu Abdullahi and Habu Usman be granted amnesty and released from prison.
Other convicts released included: Shamsu Usman, Abdullahi Abdulmumuni, Mahadi Abdullahi and Futune Mabuke. Also released were Abdullah Lawal (spelled, Sunday Iliya , Mohammed Anas and Kayode Gabriel Adenji.
The statement said: ‘’Kaduna State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy based its recommendations on convicts serving sentences of three years or more who have six months.
”They must have not more than six months to serve and long-term prisoners who have served ten years or more of their sentence with good conduct,
“And convicts suffering from ill health likely to terminate in death. The committee also considered private submissions for clemency made to the governor.‘’
In an earlier statement, El Rufai had thanked the people of the state for allowing him to serve them, and also expressed his gratitude for their understanding during hard times.
Speaking at the Kaduna 2023 countdown celebrations held by KCTA, which was organised by Kaduna Capital Territory Authority(KCTA) he ‘’ wished the people a happy new year and appealed for optimism in spite of the tough times.’’
El Rufai also lauded the efforts of these traditional rulers, who he said had worked hard to maintain peace and prosperity in their areas. ‘’ the hard work done since 2015 to make the state better and improve lives will continue with the next government.’’
He told the teeming crowd at Murtala Mohammed Square, which had been remodelled for the event, that he was bidding them farewell as governor of their state. "This will be my last countdown," he declared—adding, for good measure: 2023 is in your hands!
