Oyetola grants amnesty to 34 inmates

OAU distributes palliatives in Ile-Ife community
No fewer than 34 inmates serving different jail terms have been granted amnesty by Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State.

The governor’s gesture came against the backdrop of the decision of the Federal Government to decongest custodial centres in the country, as part of efforts to contain the spread of Coronavirus.

President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier approved the release of 2,600 prisoners in the country.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Oyetola, Ismael Omipidan, said that 17 of the 34 inmates were granted amnesty by the governor while others were pardoned by the Federal Government.

He further noted that the inmates were considered for amnesty on grounds of old age, ill-health, sentence of three years and above with less than six months left to serve, fine of less than N50,000 and inmates who have spent 75 per cent of their remaining sentences after remission and fine of less than N50, 000 with inability to pay, among others.

He said: “You will recall that the Federal Government had directed that all custodial centres be decongested to avoid the spread of Coronavirus in the county.

“To decongest correctional facilities in Osun, Governor Oyetola has graciously approved the request of the Controller-General of the Correctional Service and granted amnesty to 17 state offenders.

“The Federal Government also granted amnesty to 17 inmates, bringing the number to 34 prisoners who are affected in two custodial centres in Osun State.

“But those who were convicted over violent offences like murder, armed robbery, terrorism, kidnapping, and rape did not benefit from the amnesty.”

Meanwhile, the management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has begun sensitisation and distribution of palliatives to Ile-Ife community and its environs in support of measures aimed at stemming the spread of Coronavirus.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the university, Mr. Abiodun Olanrewaju, who disclosed this in a statement, said that the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, released the materials to the President of Ife Development Board, Lawrence Awowoyin, at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

Ogunbodede, who commended the Ooni of Ife for his fatherly role to the university, said that the monarch had done enough to the university community, even during this COVID-19 pandemic.

He said that the university, therefore, thought it fit to fully support the efforts of the government and Oba Ogunwusi towards curtailing the pandemic in the country.

In his response, Awowoyin, who commended the OAU management for their good gesture, said that if each one helped at least one person in providing succour, the pain of the vulnerable would be eliminated considerably, if not totally.

He commended the management for their commitment and willingness to provide the desired support for the proper and effective distribution of the relief materials to the citizens of the ancient city of Ile-Ife.

Items distributed included 179 packs of five kilograms of garri, and seven and half bags of 50kg of garri.

Others were 200 packs of bottled water; one cow, 500 loaves of bread and 200 bottles of 250ml hand sanitisers.