COVID-19 Violation: Gov. Sanwo-Olu Pardons Funke Akindele, Husband, Releases 56 Inmates

Governor Sanwo-Olu has granted Funke Akindele and husband state pardon.

COVID-19 Violation: Gov. Sanwo-Olu Pardons Funke Akindele, Husband, Releases 56 Inmates
Funke Akindele and husband

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has granted State pardon to Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, who are both non-custodial convicts for offences related to the disobedience of COVID-19 lockdown regulation.

The governor also approved the release of 56 inmates from various Correctional Centres in the State.

Akindele and her husband were arrested during the Coronavirus lockdown for violating protocols by holding a birthday party for her husband.

The duo were convicted and sentenced by a Magistrate’s Court in Ogba in a non-custodial sentence.

A statement on Friday said Sanwo-Olu granted state pardon to the couple on the advice of the state’s Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, according to The PUNCH.

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The statement, by the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Kayode Oyekanmi, quoted the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), as stating that the governor acted pursuant to Section 212 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

The 56 released inmates were recommended by the Advisory Council after due examination of their case files and consideration of the length of time served, the gravity of the offence, old age and ill-health among other parameters.

The Attorney General has also enjoined the beneficiaries to be good citizens and stay away from crime.

The eight-member Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, headed by Dr Abayomi Finnih was inaugurated by Governor Sanwo-Olu in December 2019.