Press Releases

Fashola Pardons Six Serving Life Sentences
...As administration turns three

May 29, 2010 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Sunday announced the granting of State pardon to six convicted persons who are serving life sentences but who are now above the age of 50 and have served a minimum of 20 years out of their jail terms.

Governor Fashola who made the disclosure at the Expo Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island during a State Dinner in commemoration of the administration Third Year Anniversary named the beneficiaries as Lateef Alabi who is aged 60 years, Sunday Oladapo who is aged 58 and Sunkanmi Alao aged 55 years.

Others who enjoyed the Governor's prerogative of mercy are Idowu Salami who is aged 50 years, Olushola Adewoye 52 years and Musibau Lasisi who is aged 51 years.

The Governor explained that the decision was taken following the advice of the Committee on Prerogative of Mercy and the recommendation of the Honourable Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State.

He also informed that as an administration that paid much premium on time management, the total sum of N679,500.00 that was realized from fines for lateness to the State Executive Council meetings and failure to make deadlines would be donated to charity as decided by the members of the Executive Council .

The benefitting charities are Bethlehem Charity and Orphanages located at 17 Ozumba Street, off Pako Bus Stop, Igando which would get a sum of N144, 875.00 while Missionaries of Charity of Mother Theresa located at 176 Demurin Street, Ketu gets a sum of N144,875.00.

The other agencies which benefitted from the donations are Bab Salaam located at Joel Ogunnaike Crescent Ikeja which also gets a sum of N144,875.00, the Children Development Centre located at Modupe Johnson Crescent Surulere will get a sum N144,875.00 while the Motherless Babies Home in Lekki would get a sum of N100,000 Only which is entire fine proceeds from meetings of the finance and general committee department as decided by the committee members.

Also speaking on the occasion, the Chairman of the Action Congress in Lagos State, Chief Henry Ajomale congratulated Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for being the actualiser who has concretised the foundations laid by the party in 1999 and 2007 and is still very much on course.

He said Governor Fashola has achieved a lot in Lagos in terms of the Ten Point Agenda and has the full backing of the Action Congress all the way, adding that on the contrary the ruling party has not achieved one out of its seven point agenda.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Opeyemi Bamidele urged everyone to use the occasion to take time to celebrate Lagos and its far reaching development that is spread over time.

He noted that at different times in the evolution of the country like during the slave trade period, colonialism, independence, and during democratic rule the State has always had distinct roles to play.

While describing former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the architect of the new Lagos which started in 1999, he added that Governor Babatunde Fashola has ensured that the dreams of the fore fathers of Lagos were actualized.

During the well attended event, a pocket size guide book titled, "How To Be A Good Lagosian" was unveiled by Governor Fashola supported by other dignitaries. The evening also witnessed the presentation of an award as the Most Progressive Governor in Nigeria given by Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation based in Otawa, Canada to the Governor by Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa who has earlier received it on his behalf.

Prominent among those who attended the colourful event were Deputy Governor, Princess Sarah Adebisi Sosan, First Lady, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, Chief Judge of the State , Hon Justice Inumidun Akande, members of the State Executive Council, former Governors, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe, Commodore Ndubuisi Kanu (Rtd), former first Lady, Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu 1, National Chairman of the Action Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa, Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN) and Governorship Candidate of the Action Congress in Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi.