•Seyi Makinde
No fewer than 33 inmates from various Nigerian Correctional Centres in Oyo state have been granted clemency.
Ten of these inmates were released from custodial centres, while four individuals who were on death row have had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment, reports The Nation.
Also, 15 inmates had their sentences reduced and four others were granted conditional release under a clemency order signed by the governor yesterday Thursday, January 4.
Commending the development, the state Controller of Corrections; Salami Olubamiji (CC) said Governor Makinde’s seasonal gesture provides forgiveness and hope to dozens of incarcerated individuals across the state.
He said: “This effort will go a long way to boost the morale of all the inmates and encourage them to involve themselves in various vocational and academic training programs provided in the facilities to rebuild their lives.
“Among the main components of the governor’s signed release order: ten inmates were immediately freed from custody this holiday season.
“Four inmates on death row have their sentence commuted to life imprisonment.
“Fifteen individuals currently serving term, received reductions in their term of incarceration.
“Four students progressing towards degrees at the National Open University in custodial centres approved for release upon graduation.”
He said the Nigerian Correctional custodial facilities in Oyo state house over 1,800 inmates in facilities located in Ogbomoso, Ibadan and Oyo Town, adding that the facilities provide substantive rehabilitation and skills-building programs daily so that restored citizens can contribute to society.
He added that officials of the Correctional Service are processing the required paperwork to begin discharging the approved inmates immediately.
