The out going Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State, Barrister Nasara Danmallam has said that a total of inmates serving various jail terms across correctional facilities in Niger State have been granted pardon by the Niger State council of prerogative of Mercy.
Among them are four persons sentenced to death by hanging that have their sentences commuted to jail terms of 15 to years.
He told journalists in Minna at a news briefing and handing over ceremony held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry, saying that the council also paid the sum of N20 milion to some convicts who serving various Jail terms across the state.
The Attorney General also told journalists that six civil servants who were indicted by a panel of inquiry on pension theft who were dismissed from the service have been granted pardon and had their dismissal reverted to retirement with their entitlement to be paid while two others were demoted with one level.
He said that the governor as part of his parting gift to the civil servants in the state has assented the bill to amend the law establishing the contributory pension scheme this according to the Attorney-General, those in the service prior to the pension scheme is not applicable to them.
“The principal law said, this shall not apply to an employee who has been in the public service of Niger State prior to 3rd March, 2007 in which the principal law came into operation”
In a gazette made available to journalists at the press briefing, it explained that the person exempted in the assented bill are those in the service or retired or cease to be in service “for any reason whatsoever as at the commencement of the law.
“Who has made contributions to his retirement savings account under the principal law and the amended principal shall be entitled to refund of such contributions by the pension fund Administrator or any other relevant authority who has of such contribution.”
“The pension fund Administrator according to the gazette or any other relevant authority that deals with or is charged with the management and administration of or is in custody of pension fund under the principal law and the amended principal law, shall immediately transfer the employer’s contribution in respect of an employee exempted under this law in accordance with the direction of the board.”
