Nigeria@60: Plateau Governor Pardons 5 Death Sentenced Convicts

News Rain reports that five death convicted persons have been freed by Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State.

In his own way to mark the 60th Independent Anniversary, Governor Simon Lalong through State Pardon on Thursday granted pardon for five convicted persons in Plateau State.

The granted five convicts who have been convicted for series of crimes committed in the past regained freedom from the State Correctional Facility.

Governor Lalong during a round-table discussion at the Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos disclosed that the Pardon is part of the activities to mark the 60th independent anniversary.

Lalong said, “In the spirit of Nigeria’s Diamond celebrations and in the exercise of the powers conferred on me, I hereby grant pardon to the following convicted persons for good behavior.

Governor Lalong also disclosed at the round table meeting that the State have made an arrest over the killing of a traditional Ruler in Foron District, Barkin-Ladi LGA; the killing of a DSS operative in Shendam; as well as the killing of 5 people in Vwang District of Jos South Local Government among others. These perpetrators and their sponsors will soon be brought before the law.”

Lalong gave the names of the pardoned convicts as Obinna John, Lenka Kurji, Buhari Abubakar, David Luka, and Yau Bala.

Some of the pardoned convicts’ persons have initially been sentenced to Death, Obinna John has been sentenced to death by hanging but now been commuted to 21 years imprisonment, Lenka Kurji who has been sentenced to 36 months, has been free, David Luka, to spend 3 years in jail but been free, while Ya’u Bala who was initially sentenced to 3 years have also been pardoned.

Lalong maintained that one of the cardinal objectives of his administration is to ensure adequate security of lives and properties.