In a move aimed at reducing congestion in the state’s correctional facilities, the Governor of Kwara State has released 23 prisoners and reviewed the cases of 18 inmates serving life sentences.Â
The announcement was made by Adegbulugbe Olumide, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kwara State Command, on Saturday in Ilorin.
The Governor’s visit to the facility was timed ahead of the Eid-el Kabir celebration, demonstrating a gesture of goodwill.
During his visit, the Governor extended compassion towards the inmates by not only freeing some of them but also providing for their transportation to their respective destinations.
In addition to the releases, significant changes were made to the sentences of 18 inmates who were serving life terms. Of these, 10 sentences were reduced to 21 years, six were commuted to 10 years, and two were reduced to two years.
Furthermore, the term of a female inmate, initially sentenced to seven years, was shortened to six months.
Olumide emphasized that the criteria for these reductions and releases included the health status of the inmates and the belief that they had reformed and become better citizens. This act of clemency was praised by various officials.
The Controller of Corrections in Kwara State, Mr. Danmairomu Ayodeji, expressed his gratitude to the Governor for this benevolent act.
He urged the released inmates to serve as positive examples in their communities and to avoid returning to criminal activities.
Additionally, Danmairomu commended the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, for providing an environment that enabled the successful implementation of this exercise.
Nababa himself lauded the State Ministry of Justice for its effective work, noting that the actions taken would help alleviate the overcrowding in the custodial centre.
