The Lagos State Government has granted pardon to actress, Funke Akindele, aka Jenifa, and her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, aka JJC Skillz, who were convicted for an offence related to the disobedience of COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by Kayode Oyekanmi, Director, Public Affairs of the Ministry of Justice, on Friday.
According to the statement, the state pardon granted to the couple was based on the advice of the state’s Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, noting that they are non-custodial convicts.
The statement quoted Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, as stating that the governor acted pursuant to Section 212 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
It also revealed that 56 inmates from various correctional centres were granted state pardon.
The statement partly read: “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 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.
Akindele had on 4 April organised a birthday party in honour of her husband at their Lekki home when Lagos State was on total lockdown due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The duo was arrested the following day and was subsequently arraigned before a court by the Nigeria Police Force.
The couple pleaded guilty to breaching the state COVID-19 regulations and was sentenced to 14 days of community service and fined N100,000.
Discussion about this post