Ododo Grants Pardon to 94 in Kogi on Independence Day »

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has granted pardon to 94 beneficiaries and remitted the sentences of seven others as Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.

Ododo announced the exercise in his Independence Day address on Thursday, October 1, 2026, saying the decision followed the recommendations of the Kogi State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

The governor said the council, inaugurated on September 2, 2026, reviewed applications and cases presented for consideration under the constitutional prerogative of mercy.

The council, chaired by the Kogi State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Yunus Abdullahi, SAN, included representatives from the judiciary, legal profession, religious bodies, the Nigeria Police Force and the medical profession.

According to Ododo, the council reviewed relevant records, considered representations made on behalf of inmates and convicts, examined correctional reports and visited correctional centres in Koton Karfe, Kabba, Dekina, Ankpa, Idah and Okene.

He said the review considered factors including age, health, the nature and circumstances of offences, time already served, conduct in custody, remorse, rehabilitation, vocational skills, correctional reports, family and community support, the interests of victims, public safety and the broader interests of justice.

“Having carefully considered the Report and Recommendations of the Advisory Council, I have decided, in accordance with the Constitution and within the limits of the law, to adopt the recommendations in respect of the deserving cases presented for executive clemency,” the governor said.

Ododo said the exercise of the prerogative of mercy did not diminish the seriousness of the offences for which beneficiaries were convicted, describing it instead as an exercise of constitutional compassion in deserving circumstances.

The 94 beneficiaries granted pardon include nine people whose cases were considered on old age, medical or compassionate grounds.

They are Lamidi Mohammed Garuba, 91; Ajagbonna Olufemi David, 72; Yakubu Atabo; Chief Umane Okeme, 65; Saidu Atuluku Yunusa; Hilary Chike Nwaeze; Ebenezer Mopah; Abdullahi Jibril; and Usman Ismaila.

The governor said the remaining 85 beneficiaries were granted mercy on grounds including good conduct, rehabilitation, remorsefulness and compassionate considerations.

The beneficiaries listed under this category are Ita Paul, Mr Gershom Soba, Bola Okuta Golden, Ojo Oyotoke, Daniel Attaboh, Victor Ignatus, Muhammed Sanni, David Matthew, Sumaila Hassan, Bright Chibike Godstime, Lawal Enemona, Ogunleye Ayodele, Sunday Ibrahim, Sule Aliyu, Mohammed Adama, Bashiru Sekiru, Sule Samuel Ojonugwa, Mustapha Alpha, Mubarak Alpha, Basere Aliu, Olabode Idris, Matthew Sunday, Muhammed Idrisa Sani, Abdullahi Saidu, Idris Lawal, Abdullahi Buzhi, Monday Gideon, Abubakar Idris, Ibrahim Adama, Tanimu Adama, Sadiq Mohammed, Angal Ibrahim, Mohammed Sani, Daniel Attabor, Ayuba Ademu, Hassan Umoru, Gabriel Onidiya, Idris Iliasu, Hassan Abubakar, Danjuma Yunusa, Faruk Suleiman, Sunday Adejoh, Eliza Owele, Chubiyo Ojabe, Sadiq Shaibu, Musa Isah, Isah Musa, Isiaka Abdullahi, Adamu Ahmadu, Umoru Abubakar, Aliu Abu, Ahmed Muhammed Salahu, Adams Istifamus, Shehu Arande, Fatai Abubakar, Mumuni Billy Shaibu, Victoria Bamidele, Shaibu Abdulazeez, Jimoh Samuel, Monday Emmanuel, Ibrahim Nurudeen, Luka Shedrach, Amid Ismaila, Godwill Adejoh, Idris Abdulrasaq, Adams Ibrahim, Ibrahim Adamu Dansabe, Okpanachi Ocheni, Jimoh Jafaru, Lamidi Muktab, Muhammadu Shaibu, Danlami Salami, Musa Umoru, Usman Iliasu, Nazir Aminu, Lukman Yakubu, Rabiu Isiaka, Omeiza Suleiman, Yusuf Ibrahim, Kabiru Ibrahim, Danlami Muhammed, Hassan Yunusa, Aminu Buji, Iliasu Bello and Husseini Mustapha.

Ododo also announced the remission of sentences for seven beneficiaries.

Tunde Adura’s sentence was remitted to eight years from the date of conviction, while Olusaye Moses Abayomi, Abu Mowde and Zakariyau Baba had their sentences remitted to three years from the date of conviction.

Michael Ojonugwa’s sentence was remitted to four years from the date of conviction, while Rami Sadiq and Salawudeen Sanusi had their sentences remitted to three years.

The governor said the remissions were intended to give effect to the constitutional power to substitute or reduce punishment in appropriate circumstances.

He urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to reintegrate responsibly into society.

“To the beneficiaries of this pardon and remission, I say: you have been given another opportunity, and every second opportunity comes with a greater responsibility,” Ododo said.

“Do not return to crime. Do not abuse the mercy extended to you. Return to your families and communities as responsible citizens.”

The governor also called on residents to stay away from kidnapping, armed robbery, theft, fraud, violence, drug-related offences, cultism and other criminal activities.

He said his administration would continue to support security agencies and the administration of justice while protecting citizens’ rights and upholding the rule of law.

Beyond the prerogative of mercy, Ododo used the Independence Day address to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what he described as ongoing economic and structural reforms.

He cited reforms in economic management and tax administration, infrastructure, energy, agriculture, education, healthcare, youth empowerment and social investment.

Ododo also referenced the Federal Government’s recently approved deep offshore investment framework, which the Presidency says could unlock up to US$50 billion in new investment. The framework, announced in August 2026, is designed to replace project-by-project negotiations with a broader rules-based investment framework for qualifying deep offshore developments.

The governor said Kogi State remained aligned with the national objective of building a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.

He highlighted Kogi’s agricultural, mineral and tourism resources, as well as its strategic position at the confluence of the Niger and Benue rivers.

“Our administration remains committed to translating these advantages into opportunities for our people,” Ododo said, listing infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, security, human capital development, rural electrification, mining, tourism and enterprise among areas of focus.

Ododo also called for collective action against crime, urging parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders to work with government and security agencies.

He said government would continue to create platforms and opportunities for young people to acquire skills and engage in productive enterprise, while citizens must use those opportunities responsibly.

The governor further called on Kogi residents to preserve peace and stability irrespective of political, religious, ethnic or social differences.

“Politics will come and go. Administrations will come and go. But Kogi State will remain our common home,” he said.

Ododo directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to take the necessary administrative steps to implement the pardon and sentence remission, including the preparation and issuance of appropriate instruments and communication to relevant correctional authorities and agencies.

He concluded by congratulating Nigerians at home and abroad on the 66th Independence Anniversary and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to governance, security, infrastructure, human capital development, economic empowerment and opportunities for Kogi residents.