Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has granted amnesty to 36 convicts in commemoration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson on Wednesday said the decision, made in line with Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), followed the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.
The proclamation, signed and sealed on September 24, 2025, directed the immediate release of the beneficiaries, many of whom had served substantial portions of their sentences for minor offences such as stealing and conspiracy.
“In exercise of the powers conferred upon me by law, and acting in accordance with the advice of the Advisory Council, I hereby remit and release all pains, penalties, and punishments that may have accrued from their convictions,” Adeleke declared in the proclamation.
Twenty-nine of the beneficiaries were released from the Ilesa Correctional Centre, while seven were freed from the Ile-Ife facility.
Adeleke said the gesture reflected the spirit of compassion and renewal that the Independence Day celebration represents.
“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 said.
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