Ondo Governor Frees Seven Inmates to Commemorate 61st Birthday

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has granted amnesty to seven inmates serving various sentences in correctional facilities across the state as part of activities marking his 61st birthday.

The decision was announced in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, who explained that the gesture was carried out through the governor’s constitutional power of mercy.

According to the statement, the beneficiaries were selected after a thorough review process that considered factors such as good conduct, evidence of remorse, commitment to rehabilitation programmes, and the likelihood of successful reintegration into society.

The governor described the move as part of his administration’s broader commitment to justice reform, decongesting correctional centres, and promoting rehabilitation over punishment. He noted that granting second chances to deserving inmates aligns with the government’s vision of a more humane and restorative justice system.

The statement added that the latest amnesty follows a similar exercise earlier in the year, during which several inmates were also granted freedom as part of a state-wide clemency initiative.

Officials of the state’s Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy commended the governor’s action, describing it as a compassionate step that balances justice with mercy while encouraging positive behavioural change among inmates.