Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has pardoned 16 inmates serving various jail terms across the Correctional Centres in the State.

Akeredolu directed the Comptroller of Federal Correctional services in the State, over the weekend, to release the inmates from its custodial facilities.

The move by the governor was made to mark this year’s Independence Day celebration.

According to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Charles Titiloye, who is also the Chairman of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, the release of the inmates was in accordance with the power conferred on the Governor by paragraphs (a) (c) and (d) of Subsection (1) of Section 212, of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended).

Titiloye said the inmates, who were serving various terms of imprisonment at the correctional centers, received the grace and mercy of the Governor following the reports on their good conduct and behaviour in the Correctional Centres.

He added that they were recommended for release by the State’s Advisory Council on the Prerogative of mercy.

The Governor urged the released inmates to be of good conduct and see their release as another opportunity to live a better life devoid of crime.

He called on the citizens of the State not to discriminate against them but to integrate them into their various communities.

The Governor also commuted and reduced the sentences of seventeen (17) other inmates serving various terms of imprisonment in custodial centers in the State.