Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has granted amnesty to 36 convicts serving sentences at the Nigerian Correctional Service centres in Ilesa and Ile-Ife to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed in Osogbo.
The statement said, “Governor Adeleke exercised the powers conferred on him under Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended), following the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
In a proclamation issued under his hand and the Public Seal of Osun State, dated September 24, 2025, Governor Adeleke declared:
“WHEREAS, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria has granted amnesty to the convicted persons listed and attached hereto, who are subject to the jurisdiction of Osun State;
NOW KNOW YE THAT I, Senator (Dr.) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Governor of Osun State of Nigeria, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by Paragraph (a) Subsection (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and acting in accordance with the Advisory Council of State designated under Subsection (2) of the said Section, am graciously pleased to extend my mercy to the said thirty-six (36) convicts.
By this act, I remit and release unto them all pains, penalties, and punishments whatsoever that may have accrued from their convictions, and I hereby require all to whom it may concern to take due notice thereof.
AND FOR SO DOING, this shall be a sufficient warrant. Given under my hand and the Public Seal of Osun State, Nigeria, this 24th day of September, 2025.”
The beneficiaries of this Independence Day amnesty include men and women convicted mostly of minor offences such as stealing and conspiracy, many of whom had served substantial portions of their sentences.
The list of beneficiaries included 29 inmates from the Ilesa Correctional Centre and seven from the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre.
Those released from the Ilesa facility included; “Kehinde Ganiyu, Isiaka Mohammed, Oluwatosin Femi, Adebisi Adeniyi, Rotimi Paul, Oyewole Sunday, Ojo Adewale, and Tajudeen Ridwan.
Other beneficiaries were, “Jokotola Quadri, Akinola Taofeek, Onibukun Adebisi, Azeez Afeez, Abdulgafar Quadri, Udoh Monday O., Babawale Saheed, Olasunkanmi Wasiu, Adetoro Toheeb, Mudashiru Lawal, Ismaila Wahab, Yinka Oyeniyi, and Olaniyan Taofeek.”
Additional names included: “Sheu Mumini, Ololade Bashit, Musibau Abdulkareem, Jamiu Sulaeeb, Jeremiah Ayuba, Abimbola Samad, Oladeji Tosin, and Mathew Samuel.”
Those released from Ile-Ife Correctional Centre are : Yusuf Ola, Oyedeji Sunday, Ojo Olaoluwa, Ogunola Rafiu, Ayomide Amos, Usman Adefisan, Adedigba Abiodun.
Most of the pardoned inmates were convicted for minor offences, including stealing and conspiracy, and had reportedly served substantial portions of their prison terms.
Speaking on the decision, Governor Adeleke said the amnesty symbolised compassion, justice, and renewal.
“As a government of the people, we remain committed to upholding justice while extending mercy to deserving citizens. This amnesty is not only a gesture of freedom but also a call for true rehabilitation, reintegration, and a fresh start for these individuals,” the Governor stated.
He added that the move was intended to promote reformation and social reintegration of ex-convicts as productive members of society
