Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has granted absolute pardons to 130 inmates and commuted the death sentences of four others to life imprisonment as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.
The clemency was announced on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in Plateau State, as part of Governor Mutfwang’s Independence Day goodwill message to Plateau residents and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora. The message was signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Gyang Bere.
The four death-row inmates whose sentences were reduced to life imprisonment were identified as Zuhumnan Musa, Jeremiah Aese, Pam Lang and Thoma Danboyi.
The state government said Mutfwang exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy after consulting the Plateau State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
“In exercising the powers conferred upon him by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, Governor Mutfwang after due consultation with the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, has granted absolute pardon to 130 inmates, while four inmates serving death sentence had their sentences reduced to life imprisonment,” the statement said.
The announcement means the two categories of beneficiaries received different forms of clemency.
The 130 inmates received absolute pardons, while the four inmates previously facing death sentences were not released through the announcement. Instead, their death sentences were reduced to life imprisonment.
Reports describing the exercise as involving 134 beneficiaries therefore comprise the 130 inmates granted absolute pardons and the four whose death sentences were commuted.
The state government did not provide the individual names of all 130 inmates granted absolute pardons in the Independence Day statement carried by major news organisations.
It also did not provide details of the offences for which each of the 130 beneficiaries had been convicted or how long they had spent in custody.
However, the identities of the four death-row inmates whose sentences were commuted were specifically disclosed.
The clemency formed part of Mutfwang’s message commemorating Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960.
Nigeria marked 66 years of independence on October 1, 2026.
In his message, Mutfwang described the anniversary as an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey since independence, recognise the sacrifices made by previous generations and renew their commitment to building the country.
He said the occasion was a significant moment to “reflect on the nation’s journey since independence, honour the sacrifices of past leaders, acknowledge the challenges confronting the nation, celebrate its achievements and renew their collective faith in the promise of a stronger, united and prosperous Nigeria.”
The governor urged Nigerians to preserve the country's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
He said responsibility for building Nigeria had moved from one generation to another and stressed that individual citizens also had responsibilities in the country's development.
“The responsibility of nation-building has passed from one generation to another and every citizen has a role to play in building a peaceful, stable and prosperous country,” Mutfwang said.
The governor also called on Nigerians to rise above their differences and work towards a country where citizens have a sense of belonging.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in the collective determination of its citizens to rise above differences and build a nation in which every citizen has a sense of belonging and an opportunity to fulfil his or her aspirations,” he said.
Mutfwang also acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his Independence Day message.
The Plateau governor commended what he described as the President's efforts towards maintaining national unity and stability and advancing economic development.
According to the statement, Mutfwang specifically acknowledged Tinubu’s emphasis on “national cohesion, peace, economic development and the collective responsibility of Nigerians to build a stronger nation.”
Turning to Plateau State, Mutfwang said his administration remained committed to creating an environment in which residents could pursue their aspirations in peace and security.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to “building a Plateau State where citizens can pursue their aspirations in an atmosphere of peace, security, justice and inclusive development.”
The governor also commended Plateau residents for what he described as their resilience, patience and patriotism.
He urged them to continue believing in the Nigerian project despite the economic, security and other challenges confronting the country.
“I commend the people of Plateau State for their resilience, patience, patriotism and invaluable contributions to the development of the State and the nation,” the governor said.
Mutfwang's October 1 clemency was exercised through the constitutional prerogative of mercy, under which a state governor can grant pardons or alter sentences for persons convicted of offences falling within the relevant constitutional framework.
In this instance, the Plateau State Government said the governor acted after consultation with the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
The distinction between the two decisions is important.
For Zuhumnan Musa, Jeremiah Aese, Pam Lang and Thoma Danboyi, the governor did not overturn their convictions or grant them immediate freedom through the Independence Day announcement.
Instead, their punishment was changed from death to life imprisonment.
For the other 130 beneficiaries, the governor granted absolute pardons.
The Plateau clemency exercise coincided with similar Independence Day action in Adamawa State.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri pardoned nine inmates and commuted the death sentence of another inmate, Saidu Abdullahi, to life imprisonment.
Taken together, Mutfwang and Fintiri granted pardons to 139 inmates, while five death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment across the two states.
For Plateau State specifically, however, the confirmed figures remain 130 absolute pardons and four commutations from death sentences to life imprisonment.
Mutfwang concluded his Independence Day message by wishing Nigerians within the country and abroad a peaceful and meaningful celebration.
He also urged citizens to continue contributing to the country's development.
The governor called on Nigerians to “continue to believe in Nigeria and contribute their quota towards building a nation worthy of the sacrifices of its heroes past and the aspirations of generations yet unborn.”
The October 1 announcement therefore provided freedom through absolute pardon to 130 inmates in Plateau State while sparing four other inmates from death sentences by replacing their punishments with life imprisonment.
The four whose death sentences were commuted are Zuhumnan Musa, Jeremiah Aese, Pam Lang and Thoma Danboyi.
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