Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has granted clemency to 15 inmates from the Nigerian Correctional Service facilities in Edo State.
According to a statement by spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service, SC Aminu S. Suleman, the pardon, formally issued after consultations with the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, reflects a commitment to fostering rehabilitation and reintegration for offenders.
Governor Obaseki, in exercising his constitutional power under section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution, signed the warrants for release, stating that the decision aligns with a broader focus on reformation in the state’s custodial system. Among those pardoned is a 77-year-old who had previously been on death row.
Controller of Corrections for Edo State, CCS Philomena Emehinola, expressed gratitude on behalf of the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, for Governor Obaseki’s consideration and support of the inmates’ second chance at life outside prison walls. “The pardon granted by His Excellency will not only give these individuals a fresh start but will also strengthen the impact of our reformative programs within correctional facilities,” she said.
Emehinola encouraged the released individuals to make positive contributions to society, noting, “I urge the beneficiaries to prove their worth and uphold the trust placed in them with this pardon.”
She also appealed to the public for compassion, urging the community to “embrace these ex-offenders, give them a second chance, and support them as they re-enter society.”
The ACPM, tasked with reviewing pardon requests, considered factors such as the nature of the inmates’ offenses, their duration in custody, health status, and demonstrated rehabilitation. This initiative, Emehinola hopes, will set a precedent for a more empathetic approach to criminal justice in Edo State.
Command Public Relations Officer SC Aminu S. Suleman of the Edo State Command affirmed that the pardoned individuals come from various backgrounds and circumstances, underscoring the importance of each case as a unique opportunity for reintegration.
