NIGERIA’S 53RD INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION: Fayemi frees eight inmates, promises empowerment programmes

[Mirror]

Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday freed eight inmates of Ado Ekiti Prisons as part of activities marking the country's 53rd Independence anniversary and 17th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State.

The governor also reduced the death sentences of two convicts, Olabode Abirifon and Julius Abirifon, on death row for 16 years, to life imprisonment.

Fayemi also granted unconditional release effective from yesterday to eight others, Olusola Ojo, Alex Dasun (a national of Benin Republic), Segun Olowoyo, Simon Okeme, Opeyemi Ogundele, Joseph Adafase, Taiwo Ibikunle and Kehinde Fagbemi, who were serving various prison terms.

The governor, who spoke during a state-wide broadcast, said the pardon was in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution and on recommendations of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

Fayemi, however, reiterated his administration's resolve to be tough on perpetrators of crime. He said: "Criminals should know that they will be prosecuted and if convicted will spend a substantial part of their time in prison."

The governor added that the state had approved a Bill for the Administration of Criminal Justice which, when passed into law, would "provide a framework for the appropriate recognition of victims of crime as important stakeholders in our criminal justice system".

Source: NIGERIA'S 53RD INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION: Fayemi frees eight inmates, promises empowerment programmes

[Mirror]