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Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has granted amnesty to 18 prisoners serving various prison sentences in Nigerian Correctional Services facilities in Ado Ekiti and Kirikiri Maximum prison in Lagos State.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Olawale Fapohunda, in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, said the governor has accepted the recommendation of the Ekiti State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy to grant clemency to 18 prisoners serving various prison sentences.
Fapohunda stated that the beneficiaries included two persons, Tunde Abe and Adeniyi Owolabi, whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment, adding that 16 others were “released from prison”.
According to him, “Mr governor has also granted state pardon to one applicant.”
Fapohunda, who, on behalf of the advisory council, congratulated all the beneficiaries specifically those who have been released from the correctional facilities, said the state expects the beneficiaries to make the best use of their “second chance” by being law abiding and good citizens.
The Commissioner said the Advisory Council considered 50 applications for clemency at its third sitting. The applications of the beneficiaries were granted because they have individually demonstrated the potential to turn their lives around, he explained.