ONI COMMUTES ONE DEATH SENTENCE, PARDONS 12 PRISONERS

As part of activities marking the nation's 50th Independent

Anniversary and 14th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, the

State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni has commuted the death sentence of one

prisoner to life imprisonment and granted amnesty to 12 inmates

serving various jail terms.
This was contained in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti, today by the

Chief press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre.

The condemned prisoner, Olabisi Ogunlowo, whose death sentence was

commuted to life imprisonment was convicted for armed robbery and had

been on the death row for years while Idowu Ofere (male), who was

convicted for murder had his life imprisonment sentence commuted to

life pardon.
In the order of release addressed to the Controller of Prisons in

charge of Federal Prisons Services, Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oni said;

“Whereas, the prisoners whose names are set out in the attached

schedule have been duly convicted of various offences and were

sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
“And whereas, following the decision by the Ekiti State Advisory

Council on Prerogative of Mercy of 24th September 2010, the Council in

its own deliberate judgment has recommended to me that I should

exercise my power of in relation to the said prisoners.

“And whereas, I have decided in accordance with the advice of the said

Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy to remit the remainder of the

said sentences.
“Now know ye therefore, that I, Engr. Segun Oni, Executive Governor of

Ekiti State of Nigeria in exercise of the powers conferred on him by

virtue of Section 212 of the Constitution of the 1999 Constitution

graciously extend my grace and mercy unto the said prisoners and to

remit the unexpired portion of the sentences imposed on the aforesaid

prisoners.”
The other prisoners affected by the order included; Gabriel Isaac,

Godwin Omuh Henry, John Egwu, Godwin O. Ndura, Anthony Vincent and

Friday Okah.
Others are Sunday Anubiohu, Chukwuma Manson, Gbenga Amuseko, Jimoh

Ganiyu and Ajayi Ropo.
Meanwhile, Governor Oni has said that the State Government would

continue to give the less privileged in the Ekiti State, including the

aged, widows and physically a sense of belonging.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, who represented the governor at

a party organised for widows and aged women in the State on Saturday

said the government would continue to use the Independence Day

celebration to rebuild confidence in Ekiti people, especially those in

the vulnerable group.
Earlier on Friday, the government had hosted the physically challenged

people in the State to a party at Fajuyi Park, Ado-Ekiti, where

Governor Oni and other top government functionaries danced, wined and

cut the anniversary cake with students of schools for the physically

challenged in the state.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Ekiti State Governor, Engr. Segun Oni in a warm handshake with

Akinsola Ayo, student of School for the Physically Challenged,

Ido-Ekiti after the governor cut the Nigeria's 50th Independent

Anniversary and Ekiti State 14th Anniversary cake with physically

challenged people in the State. With him are his wife, Mrs. Kemi Oni

and wife of the Deputy Governor, Princess Oluwayemisi Lawal and

others.