Kwara State Governor, Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, on Friday granted freedom to 23 inmates from the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Ilorin, the state’s capital.
This gesture came as part of his visit to all custodial centers in the state in anticipation of the Ileya festival, demonstrating his compassion towards the inmates.
According to a statement from the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adegbulugbe Olumide, the governor not only pardoned 23 inmates but also reviewed the sentences of 18 inmates serving life imprisonment at the correctional facility.
Olumide’s statement highlighted, “10 lifers were commuted to 21 years imprisonment, six lifers commuted to 10 years imprisonment, two lifers commuted to two years imprisonment, while a female inmate serving seven years imprisonment was reviewed to six months imprisonment.”
The statement emphasized the governor’s visit on June 14, 2024, explaining his intent to extend goodwill to the inmates ahead of Eid al-Adha.
“The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrazak Abdulrahman today 14th of June 2024, visited all the Custodial Centres in the State ahead of the Ileya festival to extend his hands of love to the inmates in the State and for the inmates to know that he is concerned about their welfare wherein he released 23 convicted Inmates to enjoy the Eid-kabir (Adha) festival at their various homes. In addition to this, cases of eighteen lifers were reviewed,” the statement added.
The reduction in sentences and the releases were reportedly based on the health status of the inmates and the belief that they had reformed.
During the event, the State Controller of Corrections, Mr Danmairomu Shuaibu Ayodeji, expressed gratitude to the governor for his generosity. He also encouraged the released inmates to be positive representatives of their communities and to avoid returning to crime.
