Governor Usman of Kogi State has pardoned convicted rapists and murderers in the state amid deepening fears of violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Ododo, in a speech commemorating Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary last Thursday, announced pardons and other forms of executive clemency to 101 inmates and convicts across the state.

The governor said the decision was anchored in the constitutional prerogative of mercy and guided by considerations of rehabilitation, remorse, humanitarian circumstances, public interest, and justice.

Noting that justice must be balanced with compassion, Mr Ododo insisted a society committed to justice must also recognise rehabilitation and the possibility of redemption for those who demonstrate genuine remorse and readiness to return to responsible living.

However, some of the beneficiaries of the pardon, including Husseini Mustapha and Olusaye Moses Abayomi, turned out to be serial criminals convicted of serious offences, including rape and murder.

According to the list of pardoned inmates released by the government, Mr Mustapha, who is 94th on the list, was pardoned on good conduct, rehabilitation and compassionate grounds, while Mr Abayomi’s sentence, 96th on the list, was remitted to three years from the date of his conviction.

A court document obtained by Peoples Gazette showed that while Mr Mustapha was condemned to life imprisonment in 2025 as required by law, Mr Abayomi was reportedly convicted of death.  

According to the document, Mr Mustapha was charged with two offences, including criminal conspiracy contrary to Section 97(1) of the State Penal Code, 2019 and rape contrary to Section 31(2) of the Child Rights Law of Kogi State, 2009.

While Mr Mustapha was discharged and acquitted of criminal conspiracy, he was convicted of rape.

“I hereby convict you, Husseini Mustapha, of the offence of rape contrary to section 31(2) of the Child Rights Law of Kogi State, 2009,” Justice H.E. Yesufu said in her judgement.

Mr Mustapha was pardoned by the government despite the conviction last year amid an appeal he filed to challenge his conviction.

In the appeal, Mr Mustapha noted that the judge “erred when he held that the prosecution proved the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt”.

Some of the particulars of errors listed in the appeal include unconvincing evidence by witnesses, lack of opportunity for the appellant to cross-examine those who purportedly prepared the medical report, prosecution failure to prove the ingredients of rape at the trial, among others.

Mr Ododo’s decision to pardon convicted criminals, especially those who were a few months into their jail term, raises serious concerns about the safety of citizens during the electioneering period.

Political observers also argued that criminals pardoned indiscriminately are often recruited by desperate politicians to terrorise opponents and disrupt peace and order, as cases of innocent citizens killed before and during elections abound in the country.