Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has approved the release of 10 inmates in correctional centres in the state and commuted four death sentences to life imprisonment.

The state controller of correctional service, Abdulraheen Salami, disclosed this in a statement issued by the command’s public relations officer, Olanrewaju Anjorin, in Ibadan and made available to journalists on Thursday.

Mr Salami stated that 15 additional inmates had their sentences reviewed downward, while another four were granted conditional release under the governor’s signed clemency order.

He said that the four inmates granted conditional release were undergoing degree programmes in the National Open University at the custodial centres and would be released upon graduation.

The controller said that Mr Makinde’s season’s gesture provided forgiveness and hope to dozens of incarcerated individuals across the state.

“This effort will go a long way to boost the morale of all the inmates and encourage them to involve themselves in various vocational and academic training programmes provided in the facilities to rebuild their lives,” Mr Salami said.

He also said that the Nigerian orrectional facilities located in Ogbomoso, Ibadan and Oyo Town were housing at least 1,800 inmates in facilities.

“These facilities provide substantive rehabilitation and skills-building programmes daily so that restored citizens can contribute to society.

“NCoS officials are processing the required paperwork to begin discharging the approved inmates immediately,” Mr Salami said.

(NAN)