Gaba Community in Lavun LGA of Niger State has rejected the unconditional State Pardon granted to the 11 persons who were sentenced to death by Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar of the State High Court, for culpable homicide of seven farmers from the community.
The Chairman of Gaba Development Association, Mr Paul Gana, during a Press conference in Minna on Thursday, cautioned that the pardon may trigger another conflict.
Mr. 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 those people during which seven people were killed and two others, 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.
However, 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.
According to him, the pardon 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.
He said the instrument of Pardon was signed on the 28th of May 2025 and had been gazetted.
The eleven persons that were sentenced to death for killing, but were granted State pardon are 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.
