Democracy Day Celebration: Dapo Abiodun Commutes Death Sentences To Life Imprisonment, Set 40 Prisoners Free

As part of activities marking the 29th anniversary of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, and in remembrance of the symbol of the winner of the election, Bashorun MKO Abiola, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has granted freedom to 40 inmates and also commuted to life imprisonment the death sentences passed on 6 inmates.

The Governor made this pronouncement as part of his address delivered at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta to mark the day.

According to the Governor, “in commemoration of the June 12 anniversary and in exercise of my power under Sections 212 sub 1 and 2 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and Sections 4 and 5 of the Ogun State Statutory Advisory Council on the prerogative of Mercy Law, I have approved the commital to life imprisonment of death sentences of 6 convicts.

“Furthermore, I have also approved the release of 40 others.

“It is my hope that this symbolic gesture would make the beneficiaries turn a new leaf and have a future opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of our dear nation.”

While paying glowing tributes to Bashorun MKO Abiola, the Governor said that there is no gainsaying of the fact that the struggle of June 12 gave birth to the seamless democracy now being enjoyed in Nigeria.

-Johnson Onifade.