From Kolade Larewaju, Abeokuta
Governor Olugbenga Daniel of Ogun State has ordered the release of 15 prisoners and commuted the death sentence of a murder convict to life imprisonment in commemoration of the nation’ golden jubilee.

Daniel in a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary; Mr. Adegbenro Adebanjo said that the prisoners to be released are Olanrewaju Oladipupo, Emeka Meribe, Kazeem Ramoni, Sunday Ogunlade, Ndewunu Posu and Oke Segun who were all serving three years and above but with less than one year remaining to serve.

In the second category are Monsuru Solola, Jamiu Oloyede, Lukmon Ayegbami, Yekini Afosi, Ehioso Egbefor, Olawale Adekoya, Oke Utuyorume, Mumuni Olaoye and Adeniyi Ayinla who are long term convicts and detainees and have been in custody for more than 10 years but with records of good conduct.

The convict who had his death sentence commuted to life imprisonment is Solomon Adekunle.

The release said that Governor Daniel took into consideration written reports of the cases and other relevant information before the amnesty was extended to the affected prisoners.

The Chief Press Secretary said that the Governor also took the decisions after due consultation with the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy and in exercise of the power conferred on him under subsection 1 section 212 of the 1999 Constitution.

Meanwhile the factional Speaker Mr. Soyemi Coker has felicitated with the citizens of the country especially the people of Ogun State on the occasion of the Independent Day Celebration saying that the event was a landmark in a nation’s history especially for the unity that has reigned supreme despite many challenges of the past.

He however urged the citizens to have the love of their country at heart and shun money politics which was one major problem that has denied the country an enviable place in African political history.

Coker also charged the people to be careful in their choice of candidates into sensitive political posts in the forthcoming elections as the failure of the representatives in various leadership positions was one of the roots of Nigeria’s present socio-economic and political problems.