By Abah Benjamin Eneojoh
Lokoja
October 1, 2026
Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, FCA, has granted executive clemency to 94 inmates and convicts serving various sentences across the state, while approving the remission of sentences for seven others as part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary.
Governor Ododo announced the decision in his Independence Day address on Thursday, describing the exercise as an expression of constitutional compassion, rehabilitation and the possibility of responsible reintegration into society.
The Governor said the decision followed the recommendations of the Kogi State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, which he inaugurated on September 2, 2026. According to him, the Council, chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, reviewed relevant records, considered representations from inmates and convicts, examined correctional reports and visited correctional centres in Koton Karfe, Kabba, Dekina, Ankpa, Idah and Okene.
Ododo said the Council considered factors including age, health, the nature and circumstances of offences, period already served, conduct in custody, remorse, rehabilitation, acquisition of vocational skills, family and community support, interests of victims, public safety and the broader interests of justice before making its recommendations.
He stressed that the exercise of mercy did not diminish the seriousness of the offences for which the beneficiaries were convicted, but represented an opportunity for deserving persons who had demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation or faced compelling humanitarian circumstances.
Among those granted mercy on old-age and medical grounds are 91-year-old Lamidi Mohammed Garuba, 72-year-old Ajagbonna Olufemi David, Yakubu Atabo, Chief Umane Okeme, Saidu Atuluku Yunusa, Hilary Chike Nwaeze, Ebenezer Mopah, Abdullahi Jibril and Usman Ismaila.
The Governor said the clemency also covered other inmates who demonstrated good conduct, rehabilitation, remorsefulness and deserving compassionate circumstances.
Governor Ododo further approved the remission of sentences for seven persons, including Tunde Adura, whose sentence was remitted to eight years from the date of conviction; Olusaye Moses Abayomi, Abu Mowde and Zakariyau Baba, whose sentences were remitted to three years; Michael Ojonugwa, whose sentence was remitted to four years; and Rami Sadiq and Salawudeen Sanusi, whose sentences were remitted to three years. He directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to take all necessary administrative steps to give effect to the decision and communicate with the relevant correctional authorities.
The Governor charged the beneficiaries to regard the clemency as a second chance and urged them to return to their families and communities as responsible citizens, warning them against returning to crime. He equally called on the people of Kogi State to reject kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, violence, cultism, drug-related offences and other criminal activities, while urging parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and youth organisations to support government in the fight against crime.
Beyond the clemency exercise, Ododo used the Independence Day address to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, human capital development, rural electrification, mining, tourism and enterprise. He described Kogi as strategically positioned for national development because of its location at the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers and called on citizens to embrace peace, hard work, unity and responsible citizenship.
He also commended the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its development and reform initiatives, while congratulating Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary.
