Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has granted pardon to nine inmates serving various prison terms and commuted the death sentence of another inmate to life imprisonment as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
The decision, announced on Thursday, October 1, 2026, took immediate effect following the completion of the required legal formalities with the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The nine inmates granted pardon are Abubakar Dajo, Zabadi Ayuba, Salvation Nyamso, Amir Idris, Mohammed Saidu, Yaro Sambo, Buhari Salisu, Urube Samuel and Bamaiyi Amos.
Dajo was serving his sentence at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre in Jos, while Ayuba and Nyamso were held at the Numan Custodial Centre.
The remaining beneficiaries were serving their sentences at different custodial facilities.
Fintiri also approved the commutation of the death sentence imposed on Saidu Abdullahi, an inmate at the Yola Old Custodial Centre, to life imprisonment.
The commutation means Abdullahi remains imprisoned, but his punishment has been changed from a death sentence to life imprisonment.
The governor exercised the prerogative of mercy following recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
The action was taken under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, which provides for the exercise of the prerogative of mercy by state governors in relation to offences created by state law.
Fintiri’s latest exercise of executive clemency coincided with Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations.
Nigeria gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960, making the 2026 celebration the country’s 66th independence anniversary.
In his Independence Day message, Fintiri congratulated Nigerians, particularly residents of Adamawa State, and described the anniversary as an opportunity for citizens to reflect on the country’s journey and renew their commitment to its future.
The governor paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding political leaders, including Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Sir Ahmadu Bello.
According to Fintiri, the sacrifices and vision of the country’s founding leaders for a united and prosperous Nigeria remained relevant to present and future generations.
He also commended members of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their sacrifices in confronting the security challenges facing the country.
Fintiri acknowledged the economic and social difficulties confronting Nigerians but said the resilience and enterprise of the people continued to sustain the country.
Turning to Adamawa State, the governor thanked residents for their cooperation and support for his administration.
He said the partnership between the government and residents had assisted his administration in delivering development projects in different sectors.
Fintiri also pledged that projects initiated by his administration would not be abandoned.
He said the state government remained committed to completing existing projects and providing sustainable infrastructure for residents.
The governor expressed confidence that Nigeria could overcome its challenges through unity, renewed commitment and collective effort.
The Independence Day clemency is not the first time Fintiri has exercised the constitutional prerogative of mercy during a national celebration.
During Nigeria’s 2024 Democracy Day celebration, Fintiri similarly granted clemency to inmates and commuted death sentences.
At the time, his administration announced pardons for inmates serving sentences at correctional centres in Adamawa and commuted the death sentences imposed on Usman Inuwa and Joseph Eugene to life imprisonment.
That exercise was also carried out following recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and under the governor’s constitutional powers.
The latest action differs between the nine inmates who received pardons and Saidu Abdullahi, whose sentence was commuted.
For the nine pardoned inmates, the governor’s decision grants them clemency from their existing sentences in accordance with the approved instruments.
Abdullahi, however, was not released through the exercise. His death sentence was replaced with life imprisonment.
The governor’s decision took immediate effect after the necessary formalities were concluded with the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The development means the nine pardoned inmates can benefit from the clemency granted to them, while Abdullahi will continue serving his sentence under the new punishment of life imprisonment.
The latest exercise of the prerogative of mercy formed part of Adamawa State’s activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
Fintiri concluded his Independence message by expressing optimism about the country’s future and wishing Nigerians, particularly residents of Adamawa State, a peaceful Independence Day celebration.
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