In commemoration of the 2020 Democracy Day celebrated on June 12, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has granted amnesty to 28 inmates of the Nigeria Correctional Custodial Centres in the state.
Governor Akeredolu, in a letter addressed to the Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, Akure, said the 13 inmates serving various terms of imprisonment were pardoned, having served substantial portions of their sentences. While 10 on death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment and 5 on life imprisonment were commuted to various terms of imprisonment.
Mr Olusegun Ajiboye, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, announced this in a statement in Akure on Thursday.
According to Ajiboye, this is in exercise of the powers conferred on the governor by Paragraph (d) of sub-section (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended.
“Governor Akeredolu ordered that 13 of the inmates be discharged out of the facility accordingly and forthwith.
“While 10 on death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment and 5 on life imprisonment were commuted to various terms of imprisonment.
“The 13 inmates serving various terms of imprisonment were pardoned, having served substantial portions of their sentences.
“In the same vein, the 10 condemned inmates had been duly convicted and sentenced to death by hanging, while 5 were equally, duly convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment,” he said.
Ajiboye further said Akeredolu advised the pardoned inmates to make good use of the opportunity offered them by their release to turn a new leaf and abandon a life of crime.
