In celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has pardoned 36 inmates incarcerated at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) centers in Ilesa and Ile-Ife.
According to a statement released on Wednesday by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, this act of clemency was exercised under the authority granted by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The decision followed recommendations from the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
Most of those granted amnesty were convicted of relatively minor offenses such as theft and conspiracy, with many having already served a significant portion of their sentences.
From the Ilesa Correctional Centre, the beneficiaries included individuals such as Kehinde Ganiyu, Isiaka Mohammed, Oluwatosin Femi, Adebisi Adeniyi, Rotimi Paul, Oyewole Sunday, Ojo Adewale, Tajudeen Ridwan, Jokotola Quadri, Akinola Taofeek, Onibukun Adebisi, Azeez Afeez, and Abdulgafar Quadri.
Additional recipients from Ilesa were Udoh Monday, Babawale Saheed, Olasunkanmi Wasiu, Adetoro Toheeb, Mudashiru Lawal, Ismaila Wahab, Yinka Oyeniyi, Olaniyan Taofeek, Sheu Mumini, Ololade Bashit, Musibau Abdulkareem, Jamiu Sulaeeb, Jeremiah Ayuba, Abimbola Samad, Oladeji Tosin, and Mathew Samuel.
Meanwhile, the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre saw the release of Yusuf Ola, Oyedeji Sunday, Ojo Olaoluwa, Ogunola Rafiu, Ayomide Amos, Usman Adefisan, and Adedigba Abiodun.
Governor Adeleke highlighted that this pardon embodies the values of empathy, fairness, and renewal that Nigeria’s Independence Day symbolizes.
“Our administration is dedicated to balancing justice with mercy for those who deserve it. This amnesty is more than just liberation; it is an opportunity for genuine rehabilitation, social reintegration, and a new beginning for these individuals,” the governor stated.
