Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has granted clemency to 40 inmates as part of the celebrations marking his 60th birthday.
This act of mercy follows the recommendations of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Fifteen of the pardoned inmates will be released outright starting January 12, 2025. Additionally, several death sentences have been commuted to life imprisonment, while other sentences have been reduced, offering a second chance for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The announcement was made by Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who chairs the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
In his statement, Ajulo revealed that the governor decided to forego personal birthday celebrations as a mark of respect for the late Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, who passed away last weekend.
Ajulo noted, “Governor Aiyedatiwa’s actions are in line with Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The council’s decisions were guided by input from correctional authorities, legal professionals, and community leaders, focusing on factors such as the nature of offences, duration of incarceration, age, health, and conduct of the inmates.”
He further emphasized that this initiative reflects the governor’s commitment to justice and compassion, which are integral to his administration’s Justice Sector Reforms.
