Gaba Community in Lavun Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State has condemned the unconditional state pardon granted by Governor Muhammed Umaru Bago to 11 persons sentenced to death over the murder of seven farmers from their community.
In a judgement delivered by Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar of the State High Court, the convicts were sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicide.
The Chairman of Gaba Development Association, Mr Paul Gana, expressed the community’s displeasure over the development while speaking with journalist in Minna on Thursday.
According to him, the pardon may trigger another conflict.
Gana said the victims were denied justice by such pardon and called on the state government to withdraw the pardon and respect the court judgement.
He said the victims were attacked on farm in 2018 by the convicts during which seven people were killed and two others were injured.
After vigorously pursuing the case for four years, Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar of State High Court in a 779 page judgement on February 2, 2022 found the 11 convicts guilty of conspiracy and culpable homicide and sentenced them individually to death by hanging.
But Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, granted the 11 convicts unconditional State pardon, on Tuesday.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Nasiru Mu’azu, disclosed this at a press briefing at the Government House, Minna.
He explained that the convicts were involved in a communal clash between Gaba and Amfani communities of Lavun local government area of the state, which led to the loss of lives and property.
The Commissioner said the State pardon was in exercise of the constitutional power of the Governor.
He said it was granted following a written request which was further reviewed between the Governor and the State Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy.
He said the State pardon was also part of the reconciliatory efforts to ensure lasting peace between both communities, adding that several meetings were held, and all issues had been resolved.
Furthermore, he disclosed that the instrument of Pardon was signed on the 28th of May 2025 and had been gazetted.
Those granted State pardon were Mohammed Mohammed, Nana Alhaji Sheshi, Isah Baba Nmadu, Mohammed Mohammed Ndabida, Abubakar Baba Salihu, Baba Mohammed Shaba, Adamu Mohammed Babaminin, Haruna Mohammed, Isah Mohammed Alhaji Inuwa, Ibrahim Mohammed and Mohammed Isah.
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