By Adewale Momoh, Akure
Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday, commuted the sentences of seven inmates on death row across the various correctional centres in the state.
The seven inmates, who were awaiting execution, had their sentences commuted to life by the governor.
Also, seven others were set free after they were said to have exhibited good conduct during their stay in the facilities, while four that were serving various jail terms in the state had their terms reduced.
Charging the fortunate inmates to make good use of the opportunity to turn new leaf, Akeredolu admonished them to desist from acts capable of seeing them back to the facilities.
A statement signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Charles Titiloye, noted that the gesture by Akeredolu was in the spirit of the New Year celebration.
The statement reads: “Akeredolu has extended his grace and mercy to seven inmates of the correctional centre serving various terms of imprisonment and ordered their release to mark the New Year celebration.
“The governor, in exercise of the power conferred on him by Section 212 (1) paragraphs A, C and D of the Constitution of Nigeria, directed the Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service in Ondo to set free the said seven inmates.
“The governor’s decision was pursuant to the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy that the inmates have undergone reformation at the correctional centres and are of good conduct. He also reduced the terms of 11 inmates. Seven of the inmates sentenced to death by hanging have their conviction reduced to life imprisonment, while the terms of the remaining four were reduced.”
While charging the inmates to be of good conduct and live a crime-free life, the governor urged the public not to discriminate against them, as they go back to the society.
Source: The Guardian
