Nigeria @ 66: Ododo frees 101 inmates, says second chance comes with responsibility

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has granted executive clemency to 101 inmates and convicts to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary, urging the beneficiaries to embrace responsible living and avoid returning to crime.

Ododo announced the decision in his Independence Day address to the people of Kogi State on Thursday, October 1, 2026, explaining that 94 beneficiaries were granted mercy, while seven others had their sentences remitted.

He said the exercise was guided by considerations of rehabilitation, remorse, humanitarian circumstances, public interest and justice, stressing that the opportunity to regain freedom must be matched by a commitment to responsible citizenship.

“You’ve been given another opportunity, and every second opportunity comes with a greater responsibility,” the governor said, urging the beneficiaries to put their acquired skills, education and lessons from incarceration to productive use.

According to Ododo, the clemency exercise reflected the significance of Independence Day as a reminder of freedom, responsibility and the collective aspiration to build a better society.

He maintained that justice should not exclude compassion, particularly where there is evidence of genuine remorse, rehabilitation and readiness to reintegrate into society.

The governor disclosed that he inaugurated the Kogi State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy on September 2, 2026, to guide the exercise in line with the constitutional framework governing executive clemency.

The seven-member council, chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, reviewed relevant case records, considered representations on behalf of inmates and convicts, examined correctional reports and visited correctional centres across the state.

The facilities visited included those in Koton Karfe, Kabba, Dekina, Ankpa, Idah and Okene.

Ododo said the council considered several factors in making its recommendations, including the ages and health conditions of the beneficiaries, the nature of their offences, time already served, conduct in custody, remorse, rehabilitation, vocational skills acquired, family and community support, victims’ interests, public safety and the broader interests of justice.

Among those granted mercy on grounds that included old age and medical conditions were Lamidi Mohammed Garuba, 91; Ajagbonna Olufemi David, 72; Yakubu Atabo; Chief Umane Okeme; Saidu Atuluku Yunusa; Hilary Chike Nwaeze; Ebenezer Mopah; Abdullahi Jibril; and Usman Ismaila.

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

The governor stressed that granting clemency did not diminish the seriousness of the offences committed, describing the decision as an exercise of constitutional mercy in deserving circumstances.

He urged the beneficiaries to return to their families and communities with a renewed sense of purpose, warning them against actions that could undermine the opportunity they had received.

Beyond the clemency exercise, Ododo called on residents, particularly young people, to reject kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, theft, cultism, drug-related offences and other criminal activities.

He cautioned that poverty, peer pressure and the desire for quick wealth should not become excuses for criminal conduct, insisting that education, hard work, enterprise, integrity and perseverance remained legitimate pathways to success.

“The battle against criminality is not a battle that the government can win alone. It is a collective struggle for the soul and future of our communities,” he said.

The governor urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to support government efforts to prevent crime, strengthen community security and promote responsible behaviour among young people.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies, strengthening the administration of justice and protecting citizens’ rights while maintaining firm action against criminality.

In the wider Independence Day address, Ododo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as efforts to advance national renewal through economic reforms, infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth empowerment and social investment.

He also highlighted the Federal Government’s approved deep offshore investment framework, which the Presidency says is designed to unlock up to $50 billion in new investment and revive major deep offshore developments.

The governor cited interventions in housing, compressed natural gas, domestic refining and other sectors as part of the broader national development agenda, noting that sustained reforms and investment were important to addressing Nigeria’s economic and structural challenges.

He said Kogi State remained aligned with the national aspiration for a stronger, more prosperous and secure Nigeria.

Ododo described Kogi’s strategic position at the confluence of the Rivers Niger and Benue, alongside its agricultural, mineral and tourism resources, as significant advantages for economic development.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, human capital development, rural electrification, mining, tourism and enterprise.

According to him, the objective is to create an enabling environment in which citizens across the state can access opportunities, develop their potential and build sustainable livelihoods.

He also called for unity among Kogi residents, irrespective of political, religious, ethnic or social differences, urging them to protect the state’s interests and invest in its future.

Congratulating Tinubu and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the 66th Independence Anniversary, the governor paid tribute to the country’s founding fathers and security personnel serving to protect the nation.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to good governance, security, infrastructure development, economic empowerment and the creation of opportunities for the people of Kogi State.

“The Nigeria we desire is possible. The Kogi State we desire is possible. But possibility becomes reality only when hope is matched with action,” Ododo said.