Independence Anniversary: Ajimobi pardons 10 prisoners
NAN-H-45
Amnesty
By Akeem Abas
Ibadan, Oct. 1, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has granted amnesty to 10 prisoners from various prisons in the state in commemoration of the 56th Independence Anniversary of the country.
A statement signed by Mr Toye Arulogun, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, on Saturday, said that he pardoned and released five of the prisoners serving various prison terms.
Arulogun said one of the prisoners had his sentence reduced to one year and six months from the initial two years and six months.
He said that three of the prisoners who had been on death row had their sentences commuted to 30 years while the remaining prisoner had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment.
“The objective of the exercise is to decongest the prison which had been a concern at the Security Council Meeting and to extend amnesty to deserving convicts who have shown good behaviour over the years of their incarceration,’’ he said.
The power of Prerogative of Mercy is conferred on the Executive Governor, under Section 212(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution.
“Under Section 212(1) of the Constitution, the Governor is empowered to pardon, free, grant respite or substitute a severe punishment with lesser one as a form of amnesty for the convicts,” he stressed,” he said. (NAN)
TAA/OFN
Edited by Felix Nwadioha