Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has granted pardon and other forms of executive clemency to 101 inmates and convicts as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.

Ododo disclosed this in his Independence Day address to the people of Kogi State on Thursday, saying the exercise was carried out under the constitutional prerogative of mercy and guided by considerations including rehabilitation, remorse, humanitarian circumstances, public interest and justice.

A total of 94 beneficiaries were granted mercy, while seven others received remission of sentence.

The beneficiaries were selected based on factors including old age, medical conditions, good conduct, rehabilitation, remorse and compassion. Among them is 91-year-old Lamidi Mohammed Garuba.

The seven beneficiaries whose sentences were remitted are Tunde Adura, Olusaye Moses Abayomi, Abu Mowde, Zakariyau Baba, Michael Ojonugwa, Rami Sadiq and Salawudeen Sanusi.

The decisions followed the recommendations of the Kogi State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, a seven-member body established under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution.

The council, chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, reviewed case records and representations made on behalf of inmates, as well as correctional reports from custodial centres across the state.

The council also visited custodial facilities in Koton Karfe, Kabba, Dekina, Ankpa, Idah and Okene, where it assessed the circumstances of individual cases.

According to the governor, the review considered the age and health of inmates, the nature and circumstances of their offences, time already served and conduct while in custody.

Other considerations included vocational skills acquired during incarceration, family and community support, the interests of victims and public safety.

Members of the council include retired Justice Ezekiel Haruna and representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Health, Jama'atu Nasril Islam and the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Ododo stressed that the exercise did not diminish the seriousness of the offences committed, describing it instead as an expression of constitutional compassion in deserving circumstances.

He said a society committed to justice must also recognise rehabilitation and the possibility of redemption for people who demonstrate genuine remorse.

The governor urged the beneficiaries to regard their release as a responsibility, noting that a second chance comes with a greater duty to live responsibly and contribute positively to society.

He also called on residents, particularly young people, to reject kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, theft, cultism and drug-related offences.

Ododo appealed to parents, traditional rulers, religious and community leaders and youth organisations to work with government in tackling crime, stressing that criminality cannot be defeated by government alone.

The governor congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the 66th Independence Anniversary.

He also paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers, soldiers and security personnel, while calling on Nigerians to renew their faith in the country.