Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN has ordered the release of 18 persons serving various jail terms at the Olokuta prison.

Also, the Governor has commuted the death sentence of seven people convicted of various offences to life imprisonment.

The Governor said his actions were to mark the 59th independence anniversary of the country.


The development followed the advice of the State Advisory Council of Prerogative of Mercy and in line with the powers confer on the Governor by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The state Deputy Governor, Mr Agboola Ajayi who acted on behalf of Governor Akeredolu in a letter to the Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Services said the seven inmates who have been convicted and sentenced to death by hanging and are awaiting execution should no longer be executed.

He said, “I Alfred Agboola Ajayi, the Acting Governor of Ondo State of Nigeria in exercise of the power conferred on me by paragraph (a) (c) and (d) of sub section (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended . I am pleased to extend my grace and mercy unto the said condemned inmates and substitute a less severe punishment on the aforesaid inmates as clearly stated in the schedule.”

The Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Babatope Okeowo who confirmed the development said the 18 inmates who were set free by the prerogative of mercy had served different portion in prison for various offences and have shown remorse during their stay in the correctional facilities.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/independence-akeredolu-frees-18-inmates-in-ondo-commutes-7-death-sentences-to-life-imprisonment/

Give them few days and they will be back.

SOWERE deserve such freedom but the people he is fighting for prefer TACHA TO HIM.

God bless you Sir, President Buhari pls follow suit and release Sowore.

Part of freedom. But releasing a confirmed criminal is a Ticking Tim bomb

My Gov

What happened to their various crimes??

Esp those awaiting their death day.

Its a good move but what if they murdered someone?

the man kuku dey try on his own part. make he just legalize weed and he would become d best governor Nigeria ever had

T

Mumus forming gods

Nice one

You mean those that were convicted because they worked for your allies right? Good. Some hoodlums are back to the street

Good job!

See as nairaland dry.

No more relevant news to propagate through front page these days.

Uruan2023:
What happened to their various crimes??

Esp those awaiting their death day.

Its a good move but what if they murdered someone?

Does killing them make things better

Hmmn, this one off me!

From life imprisonment, I believed they'll be released someday, staying in prison is just like living in hell......I pray God rescue the inmates that are there for no crime they commit.

Bravo my detribalized Governor, extend my greeting to my sister your lovely wife our in law from oduduwa land.

The Igbo people have you in their heart and they're watching your good works.

donprinyo:
Mumus forming gods

But he did the right thing or what do you think?

Has done something for criminals for Independence Day. What about doing something for law-abiding masses?

May be the criminals were imprisoned for dealing cannibis

well done Aketi.

Good step, but commuting death sentences of hardened murderers, ritual killers, armed robbers or hired killers to life imprisonment is completely wrong because these set of people seem to be going back to the crime in a hard way. May GOD save us all.

donprincebigt:
the man kuku dey try on his own part. make he just legalize weed and he would become d best governor Nigeria ever had

Seconded.

I think there should be some kind of clause limiting the powers of the state governor to grant parole as it is capable of being abused. I know a political thug who gunned down almost seven persons at a drinking bar for daring to engage him in an argument. He was arrested and sentenced to death by hanging. But today he walks a free man because a Governor could intervene, whereas the innocent he murdered are lying in their cold graves. Nigeria still has a long way to go in enforcing justice.

Commendable sir..