Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has granted prerogative of mercy to 31 convicted inmates serving their sentences in various Correctional Service centres.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata SAN who made this known at a news conference in Ado Ekiti, said the approval was on the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy in exercise of the Governors powers under Section 212 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended) and in line with the commitment of Governor to decongest correctional State facilities as part of the Justice Sector Reforms in the State.
Mr. Apata assured that the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy in reaching its recommendations exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications brought before it in line with the applicable guidelines with information provided by the Authority of the correctional facilities, the nature of offence the inmate was convicted for, period of incarceration, age, health condition and the behavioral conduct of the inmate.
Stressing that the exercise was part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure a fair and compassionate justice system while maintaining public safety, Mr. Apata emphasized that the selection process was based on merit, considering factors such as good conduct, age, health conditions, and the potential for reintegration into society.
According to him, the Advisory Council reviewed the cases of inmates on the death row and others serving various terms of imprisonment from Ekiti in the Nigerian Correctional Service, Maximum Security Custodial Centre Kirikiri-Apapa Lagos State, Nigerian Correctional Service Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abeokuta Ogun State, and convicted inmates about to complete their jail terms at the Nigerian Correctional Service Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ado-Ekiti.
He said out of 453 cases reviewed and considered for prerogative of mercy, 31 inmates were adjudged to be of good character and capable of contributing positively to the society adding that two of the inmates were granted full pardon, five others had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment while two on death row had their sentences commuted to terms of imprisonment.
Apata also disclosed that another four inmates serving life imprisonment had their sentences commuted to between 5 and 10 years prison terms while 18 inmates who have less than six months to serve out of their sentences are to be released immediately.
Reiterating the commitment of the Ekiti State Government to the promotion of a justice system that balances firmness with mercy, he urged the beneficiaries to take this second chance seriously by staying out of trouble and contributing positively to their communities.
In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun explained that gesture of Governor was part of efforts of the present administration to decongest the correctional facility and further advance the Criminal Justice System in the State.
He urged the released inmates to be of good behavior and shun crime when they return to the larger society.
Also speaking, the Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, Ekiti State Command, Mr. Tolorunsagba Emmanuel said the Federal Correctional Services was fully committed to the welfare and reformation of inmates under its custody.
He disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Interior recently presented a Van to the Federal correctional Centre, Ado-Ekiti to further ease the movement of inmates to and from the courts.
Last modified: April 8, 2025
