Independence Day: Akeredolu releases 16 people from prison

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The Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu on Saturday released 16 inmates from the Ondo National Correctional Center.

This was in a statement signed by the state Attorney General and Attorney General, who is also the state chairman for the State Advisory Board on the Prerogative of Pardon, Mr. Charles Titiloye. The statement was made available by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Richard Olabode.

According to the release, the governor also commuted the jail terms of 17 other inmates, serving various terms of imprisonment in state detention facilities.

It was noted that the governor's action was part of the celebrations marking the 62nd anniversary of the country's independence.

The statement read: “The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Akeredolu, SAN. directed the State Comptroller of Federal Corrections to release 16 inmates from its detention facilities to mark this year's Independence Day celebration.

"This is in accordance with the power conferred on the Governor by paragraphs (a)(c) and (d) of subsection (1) of Article 212, of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

“The inmates who were serving various terms of imprisonment in the correctional centers received grace and mercy from the governor due to their good conduct. Their release was recommended by the States Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Pardon.

"The Governor urged the released inmates to behave well and view their release as another opportunity to live a better life free of crime. The Governor called on the citizens of the state not to discriminate against them and to integrate into their different communities."