Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has granted amnesty to 40 prison inmates serving various jail terms, as part of his 60th birthday celebration.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ebenezer Adeniyan, it was revealed that the governor’s decision was announced by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo (SAN), who also serves as the Chairman of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy in the state.
Adeniyan said, “In a poignant act of compassion commemorating his 60th birthday, Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has extended the hand of mercy to 40 convicts, a decision that reflects a profound commitment to rehabilitation and the transformative power of second chances.
“This noble initiative emerged from recommendations put forth by the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, underscoring the governor’s dedication to fostering a justice system that prioritizes reform over retribution. Among the fortunate beneficiaries, 15 convicts will experience the profound relief of outright release, effective January 12, 2025.”
In line with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the governor exercised his constitutional right to grant the pardons, a move that is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of the inmates and their communities.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s gesture is a reminder of the transformative power of mercy and the importance of second chances in fostering social reintegration.