Kaduna Gives N100,000 Each to 97 Pardoned Inmates

Kaduna State has begun paying N100,000 each to 97 pardoned inmates, helping the freed men and women rebuild their lives after release.

The payments fulfil a pledge by Governor Uba Sani, who granted the clemency under his constitutional prerogative of mercy.

Final phase of the clemency programme

Officials carried out the disbursement at the Kaduna Medium Security Custodial Centre. The state described it as the last stage of the programme that began with the inmates’ release.

The beneficiaries were freed on June 12 to mark Democracy Day. Beyond the cash, the government also settled fines imposed on some of them to secure their release.

The grant is meant as start-up support, giving each person a small base to begin trading or learning a skill.

Support for Kaduna pardoned inmates

The state says the money is designed to reduce the risk of reoffending. Many released inmates struggle to find work or capital, which can push them back toward crime.

One beneficiary, Chuks Solomon from Ebonyi State, thanked the governor. He said the support would help several of them start small businesses and rebuild.

Officials framed the gesture as practical rather than symbolic, arguing that financial help on release is often the difference between recovery and relapse.

Part of a wider reform push

The clemency forms part of Kaduna’s broader criminal justice strategy. The state wants to decongest crowded custodial centres and promote restorative justice.

Overcrowding remains a major problem across Nigerian custodial facilities, many of which hold large numbers of people awaiting trial. Releasing low-risk inmates is one way states try to ease the pressure.

Pardons are usually reserved for those who have served time, shown good conduct or were jailed for minor offences. The governor’s office said each case was reviewed before release.

How the beneficiaries were chosen

The clemency followed a review of cases at custodial centres, with officials selecting those considered low-risk or jailed for minor offences.

Some beneficiaries had completed most of their sentences, while others were freed after the state cleared outstanding fines.

Welfare officers were on hand during the disbursement to guide the freed inmates on managing the funds.

The state said it would monitor how the beneficiaries settle back into their communities.

Prison welfare advocates have welcomed the move, noting that financial support eases the difficult transition from custody to freedom.

They argue that without such help, many released inmates struggle to meet basic needs in their first weeks outside.

Officials said the cash grants are part of a phased reintegration plan rather than a one-off gesture.

Skills training and links to small loans were floated as possible next steps for the beneficiaries.

Civil society groups have urged other states to adopt similar support schemes.

They note that reoffending often stems from a lack of income immediately after release.

Why it matters

Support schemes for ex-offenders are still rare in Nigeria, where stigma and joblessness make reintegration hard. Kaduna’s payment offers a model other states may study.

Reform advocates have long argued that pardons mean little without a path back into society. Cash grants, skills training and job links can turn a release into a genuine fresh start.

For the 97 beneficiaries, the N100,000 is a first step. Whether it leads to lasting change will depend on follow-up support and the opportunities they find outside the prison walls.

Source: Kaduna State Government

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