Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has pardoned a total of 117 convicts serving jail terms in the various correctional facilities in the state. 

The decision was announced in a statement on Monday to journalists in Akure by the governor’s spokesman, Ebenezer Adeniyan. 

According to the statement, a total of 19 inmates among the beneficiaries will be released while those sentenced to death sentences will be commuted to prison terms. 

The statement explained that several inmates would have their sentences reduced to paved opportunities for reintegration into society. 

The governor noted that the initiative followed recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, giving room for rehabilitation and second chances within the justice system.  

It stressed that the governor signed the release orders on September 27, 2024, with the changes set to take effect on October 1, 2024, coinciding with the nation’s 64th Independence celebrations.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, who announced the decision in the statement, explained that the governor’s actions were in line with section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). 

Mr Ajulo, who is also the Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, said the council meticulously assessed each application, ensuring that its recommendations adhered to established guidelines and took into account a range of considerations.

He stated, “The council’s deliberations were informed by insights from correctional authorities, legal experts, and distinguished community members, focusing on factors such as the nature of the offenses, length of incarceration, age, health, and behaviour of the inmates. The compassionate gesture underscores Governor Aiyedatiwa’s unwavering commitment to decongest correctional facilities in Ondo State and is a vital component of ongoing Justice Sector Reforms.  The approval for these releases not only represents a step towards mercy but also reaffirms the belief in the potential for change and redemption within every individual.’’