Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has granted amnesty to seven inmates serving various jail terms in correctional centres across the state as part of activities to mark his 61st birthday.
The pardon was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, who said the gesture followed the exercise of the governor’s constitutional prerogative of mercy.
According to the statement, the inmates were released in recognition of the governor’s birthday, which was celebrated on Monday, and in continuation of his administration’s commitment to compassionate and humane leadership.
The statement noted that the beneficiaries were selected based on verified reports of good conduct, genuine remorse, rehabilitation efforts and strong prospects for successful reintegration into society.
It added that the decision reflects the governor’s belief in restorative justice, prison decongestion and the importance of giving reformed inmates a second chance.
The Chairman of the Ondo State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, Dr Kayode Ajulo (SAN), commended the governor for the move, describing it as a demonstration of the administration’s resolve to balance accountability with mercy and promote justice sector reforms.
The latest pardon follows an earlier amnesty granted to 77 inmates by the governor on January 1, 2026, to mark the New Year, based on recommendations from the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has said the clemency initiatives underscore its commitment to rehabilitative justice and humane governance, particularly for inmates who have shown genuine remorse and readiness to rejoin society.
