INAUGURATION: GOVERNOR ABIODUN COMMUTES 49 DEATH SENTENCES AND RELEASES 49 INMATES

49 prisoners have been released and three others’ death sentences have been commuted to life in prison by Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun.

“Three of these convicts are over 60 years old, with one being 84 years old,” according to the report on the 49 prisoners who had been incarcerated for more than 20 years.

Some of the prisoners, Mr. Abiodun continued, had serious medical issues like HIV and tuberculosis.

In his inaugural address for his second term as governor, the governor made this statement at the MKO Abiola stadium in the state capital of Abeokuta.

“I have authorized the warrant directing the immediate release of 49 prisoners who are currently detained in various prisons throughout Ogun State.

“I have also authorized the immediate conversion of three death row inmates’ death sentences to jail terms by signing a warrant.

“The prisoners who are the recipients of this gesture today have all served lengthy prison terms, some for more than 20 years. At least two of these prisoners have serious illnesses including HIV and tuberculosis, making them a health risk to the rest of the jail population.

“One of these prisoners is 84 years old, while three of them are older than 60. Others have already completed fewer than two years of their sentences. All of these prisoners have shown regret for their crimes, have picked up skills and certificates while incarcerated, and have displayed verifiable good behavior.

The governor pledged to build on the accomplishments made during his four years in office, stating, “We will not betray this trust reposed in us.”

The Ogun State of our ambitions, Mr. Abiodun continued, “is not just for one class of people. Not for perfection. It is a welcoming state that offers chances to those who uphold the law and second chances to wrongdoers who deserve them.

Our administration undertook an ambitious housing plan intended to provide 2,500 housing units gradually in the housing sector. In our housing complexes, which span the state’s three senatorial districts, about 2000 apartments have already been built and sold out.

“This is greater than the total number of housing units constructed by all prior administrations taken together since the state’s inception in 1976. In the Central Senatorial District, we have since put King’s Court, Prince Court, and Kobape Housing Estates into service. The Ilaro, Ijebu Ode, and Sagamu are all nearing completion, the governor noted.