Deborah Akinyosoye
The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has exercised the prerogative of mercy towards 53 convicts serving time in various correctional centers across the state.
These inmates had been convicted to various terms of imprisonment.
Some of them had served substantial portions of their sentences, while others were sentenced to death and had spent at least ten years in custody.
Among these convicts, 12 who committed simple offenses were recommended by the state advisory council on the prerogative of mercy for outright pardon, 30 who committed simple offenses were recommended for outright release, four convicts who committed capital offenses were recommended for outright pardon, and one convict who committed a capital offense was recommended for pardon on health grounds. Ojekunle Timothy, one of the convicts, was on a death sentence and had spent at least a decade in prison.
These details are contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson to the state governor, Olawale Rasheed.
“Following the recommendation made to me by the state advisory council on the prerogative of mercy that I should exercise my power in relation to the said inmates in order to mark the 2024 Christmas celebration.
“In the case of the 30 inmates convicted of simple offenses, I have decided, in accordance with the said recommendation, to remit and forgive the remainder of their sentences in full.
“I have decided, in accordance with the said recommendation, to grant outright pardon to 12 inmates convicted of simple offenses. Four convicts have had their sentences commuted from death to outright pardon. AND WHEREAS, I have decided, in accordance with the said recommendation,” the governor noted in the statement.