The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has granted pardon to twelve inmates who have been in prison for various offences.
The lucky twelve prisoners are serving various terms of their imprisonment across different prisons in the state.
A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Oluwasegun Smart Ajiboye, said the governor exercised his power conferred on him by section 212(1) of the constitution of the federal Republic of Nigeria.
He added that three persons awaiting execution were also granted pardon by the Governor.
Akeredolu advised the lucky ones to shun acts that could return them to the prison.
The statement read, “Ondo state governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in exercise of the power conferred on him by Section 212(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is pleased to extend his grace and mercy to 12 prisoners who have served various terms of their imprisonment and orders their release from the prison custody.
“He asks the beneficiaries of the gesture to always shun acts that can likely return them to the prison.
“Likewise, Akeredolu extends his grace and mercy to three condemned/convicted prisoners who are awaiting execution.
“The governor’s gesture commutes the death sentence of the condemned three prisoners to life imprisonment.
“Akeredolu exercises the power in the spirit of the 2019 New Year celebration.”
Similarly, Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau has granted pardon to four prisoners serving various jail terms in the state in the spirit of the New Year.
The governor made the disclosure in a statement signed by Mr Mark Longyen, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity on Tuesday in Jos.
“The decision was taken after consultation with the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
“It is in exercise of the powers conferred on the governor under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The sentences of three of the convicts were commuted to absolute pardon, while the third convict had his life sentence commuted to 21 years imprisonment,” he said.
According to the statement, Abdullahi Musa, Rev. Samson Bisat and Chikwu Anadi were granted absolute pardon while Emmanuel Ochiba who was sentenced to life imprisonment has been commuted to 21 years jail term.”
Lalong called on the people of the state and the Nation at large to commit the year 2019 to sobriety, penance and forgiveness.
He urged them to pray fervently for divine intervention in the affairs of Plateau and Nigeria.
“No challenge under heaven is immune to the power of prayers,” he added.
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