Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has marked his 61st birthday with an amnesty for seven inmates serving various sentences in correctional centres across the state.
The governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, announced the gesture in a statement on Tuesday, describing it as an extension of the clemency granted to 77 inmates on January 1.
“In a continued demonstration of compassionate and humane leadership, Ondo State Governor, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy by granting outright pardon and release to seven additional convicts serving various sentences in correctional facilities across the state,” the statement read.
Adeniyan said the beneficiaries were selected after verified assessments of remorse, good conduct, rehabilitation records, and prospects for reintegration.
“Their outright release underscores Governor Aiyedatiwa’s firm belief in the principles of restorative justice, prison decongestion, and the provision of second chances to those who have demonstrated meaningful change,” he added.
Kayode Ajulo, SAN, chairman of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, commended the decision, saying it reflects a balanced approach to justice.
According to him, the latest pardons “reaffirm his administration’s commitment to balancing accountability with mercy, reforming the justice sector, and promoting a society where redemption is possible.”
The governor had earlier freed 77 inmates on New Year’s Day following recommendations from the advisory council.
Adeniyan said the gesture “underscores Governor Aiyedatiwa’s deep commitment to rehabilitative justice, second chances, and the humane side of governance,” adding that the administration remains focused on ensuring that the justice system blends accountability with com passion.