Bauchi state governor, Bala Mohammed, has apologised for granting state pardon to some convicted criminals, including a serial rapist, during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The governor, in April 2020, granted pardon to 69 inmates serving prison sentences across the state in a bid to decongest correctional facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of those released was Yusuf Bako who had been imprisoned in 2001 and 2015 for separate rape offences.
The 50-year-old was however arrested again last week for raping a four-year-old girl inside a mosque in Bauchi metropolis.
Reacting to this, Governor Mohammed during a meeting with the State Action Committee on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) on Tuesday, September 9 expressed that he was unaware of Bako’s status when he approved his release.
He said;
Gender Based Violence has become a pandemic. That of Bauchi, unfortunately, I understand after sometimes through the Ministry of Justice that we have pardoned some serial rapists. We have messed up with our women folks. It is not our wish to do that. Had it been I was aware of that, we wouldn’t have done that. He would have served his full jail term. I didn’t know, I wouldn’t have appended my signature.
Mohammed added;
I apologise to our women folks for the recent pardon extended unknowingly to one of the rapists in Bauchi. We will never pardon anyone found guilty of this grievous offense. I am happy with the advocacy set up by my dear wife because I believe that is the only way to go. We will do everything possible to protect our women folks and children. Bauchi will be at the forefront in fighting the menace.
The governor then assured that his administration will remain tough on sex offenders.
Rape and other sex-related crimes have received a great amount of national attention this year following a string of high-profile cases all over the country.
In June, all 36 state governors resolved to declare a state of emergency on rape and other gender-based violence against women and children.
