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Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has exercised his constitutional prerogative of mercy by granting an outright pardon to seven convicts serving various sentences in correctional facilities across the state.
In a statement, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the decision marked Aiyedatiwa’s 61st birthday and built on clemency approved on 1 January 2026 during the New Year celebrations.
The governor, acting on the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, had earlier approved clemency for 77 convicts.
The seven newly pardoned inmates were selected based on verified evidence of genuine remorse, good conduct, rehabilitation efforts and strong prospects for successful reintegration.
According to the statement, their release underscores the governor’s commitment to restorative justice, the decongestion of correctional facilities and the belief in second chances for individuals who have shown meaningful reform.
The Chairman of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, who also serves as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, praised the decision, describing it as thoughtful and forward-looking.
He said the move reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to balance accountability with mercy, reform the justice system and promote a society where redemption remains possible.
