The Governor of Kwara State, Abdulrazak Abdulrahman, on Friday, released 23 inmates from the Nigerian Correctional Service facility in Ilorin, the state capital.

According to a news report from Punch, the governor's visit to all custodial centres in the state ahead of the Ileya festival was to extend his compassion to the inmates. The governor also reviewed the cases of 18 other inmates who were serving life sentences in the correctional facility.

A statement signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Adegbulugbe Olumide, detailed that the governor granted pardons to 23 inmates and reviewed the jail terms of 18 inmates convicted to life imprisonment.

Adegbulugbe said, “10 lifers were commuted to 21 years imprisonment, six lifers commuted to 10 years imprisonment, two lifers commuted to two years imprisonment, while a female inmate serving seven years imprisonment was reviewed to six months imprisonment.

“The Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrazak Abdulrahman today 14th of June 2024, visited all the Custodial Centres in the State ahead of the Ileya festival to extend his hands of love to the inmates in the State and for the inmates to know that he is concerned about their welfare wherein he released 23 convicted Inmates to enjoy the Eid-kabir (Adha) festival at their various homes. In addition to this, cases of eighteen lifers were reviewed,” the statement added.

The statement further said that the reduction and the release were based on the health status of the inmates and the belief that the inmates had turned for better.

During the release, the Controller of Corrections in the State Mr Danmairomu Shuaib Ayodeji used the avenue to appreciate the Governor for the good gesture.

“He advised the inmates to be worthy ambassadors of their various homes such as not to go back to crime,” the statement added.