Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has granted state pardon to 18 convicted inmates in various correctional centres in the state to mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Richard Olatunde, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor and made available to newsmen in Akure on Friday.
The statement further said that Akeredolu also commuted the death sentences of 26 prisoners to life imprisonment adding that the gesture was in commemoration of Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary.
“In exercise of the powers conferred on him by Paragraph (d) of sub-section (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as Amended, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has granted State pardon to 18 convicted inmates.
“The governor also commutted to life imprisonment 26 other inmates who were condemned to death by the various courts in the state.
“The convicts were released having shown remorse and are of good conduct at the correctional centres,” the statement read.
While charging them to be of good conduct and live a crime-free life, the governor urged the public not to discriminate against them as they reintegrate into the society.
(NAN)