Oyebanji approves prerogative of mercy for 31 convicted inmates in Ekiti

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has granted the prerogative of mercy to no fewer than 31 convicted inmates in the state.q

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata, SAN, who addressed journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, on Thursday, said the governor’s approval followed the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

He noted that the decision, which is part of measures aimed at decongesting the state’s correctional service, was made by the governor in line with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Apata added that the advisory council received about 453 applications from inmates on death row and others serving various terms of imprisonment from the Nigerian Correctional Service in the state and beyond.

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The commissioner, while giving the breakdown of the 31 released inmates, revealed that two were granted full pardon, five on death sentences had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, and two death sentences were commuted to terms of imprisonment.

According to him, four inmates serving imprisonment had their sentences commuted to five years and ten years, respectively, while eighteen inmates who had less than six months left on their sentences were to be released immediately.

Apata said, “The Council was tasked with reviewing cases for potential pardon or clemency according to guidelines, which include considerations for remorsefulness, penitence, and evidence of rehabilitation while incarcerated.

“Upon receipt of these applications, the Council liaised with the custodial centres through the Nigerian Correctional Service Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ado-Ekiti, and also visited the centre, requesting a comprehensive list of the inmates to be considered for clemency for the purpose of this important assignment.

“The Council reviewed all cases of inmates forwarded to it for consideration, and after painstakingly considering all the representations made, the Council, in its meeting held on the 6th of March, 2025, identified 453 inmates who had been adjudged to be of good conduct and would contribute to society if considered for the prerogative of mercy. The list was then forwarded to the governor for consideration and approval.”

The commissioner commended Governor Oyebanji for approving clemency for the inmates, saying, “We sincerely hope that the pardoned inmates will take this opportunity to do better in life and become more useful to society.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE