Gov. Babangida Aliyu of Niger has said that he would sign the death warrant of any person sentenced to death by courts in the state.
Aliyu made the statement in Minna when Abubakar Falke, Assistant Comptroller of Prisons in charge of Zone `D’ comprising Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Sokoto, Zamfara and FCT commands paid him a courtesy visit.
He told the comptroller to forward the list of convicts in the state who were on death row.
“Let me know how many inmates are on death row in Niger State and I will sign the death warrant because it is my job,” he said, adding “believe me, I will sign if there is anybody on the row’’.
He, however, urged individuals and society to treat prison inmates and ex-convicts well so as to assist them to resume normal life.
According to the governor, it is not good for inmates to come out of jail as hardened criminals, instead of being reformed.
The governor advised prison authorities to collaborate with the State Government to ensure the welfare of prisoners.
He promised to provide vehicles to the prison command in the state to ease movement of inmates to court.
Falke disclosed that the number of inmates in the eight prisons in the state was 1,039, adding that out of the number, 442 had been convicted while 597 were awaiting trial.
He said that the prison command in the state had only six vehicles for its eight formations and 155 courts.
The comptroller appealed to the governor to assist the command with vehicles, adding however, that no convicted person of Niger origin was serving jail term in the state.