Ondo Gov grants clemency to 77 inmates
At least 77 inmates serving various terms across correctional facilities in Ondo State have received pardon from Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa said that the clemency was based on the recommendation of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, headed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN.
The decision was said to have been taken in the spirit of the new year celebrations, with the governor stating that the convicts who have shown signs of remorsefulness deserve a second chance.
Ajulo underscored that each of the cases was thoroughly reviewed, further disclosed that 12 convicts who have shown exemplary conduct and completed significant portions of their sentences were outrightly released.
The state chief legal officer stated that 22 condemned inmates had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment or fixed terms, while other inmates serving life imprisonment had their terms reduced to 25, 20, 15 and 10 years, respectively.
“In commemoration of the January 1st, 2026, New Year’s Day celebration, the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy recommended a total of 77 convicts for the mercy of Mr Governor.
“In so doing, the Council considered the nature of the offence, length of time served, conduct and behaviour in custody, age and health condition, rehabilitation and prospects of reintegration and reports from correctional and legal authorities,” Ajulo stated.
