Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has pardoned Nollywood star, Funke Akindele and husband, Abdulrasheed Bello.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also granted pardon and approved the release of 56 inmates from various correctional Centres across the state.
Akindele-Bello, popularly called jenifer, and her husband were, on April 6, 2020, convicted by a Lagos Magistrate Court for violating COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
They were sentenced to two- week community service, a non-custodial sentence and isolation by the court.
A statement by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN said Governor Sanwo-Olu acted based on the recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, under the powers conferred on the Governor by Section 212 (1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
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.