Akolade Arowolo, 34, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) youth pastor, who was convicted for killing his banker wife, Titilayo Omozoje, at their Akindeinde Street in Isolo, Lagos home, is among 74 condemned prisoners seeking amnesty under the prerogative of mercy from Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
The governor has the constitutional power to grant the amnesty to prisoners.
Besides the condemned prisoners, there are also scores of those serving life sentences at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos seeking the state’s mercy.
Arowolo, who was dressed in a sky blue T-shirt over a pair of blue jeans trousers, had a low haircut.
He sat among condemned prisoners who were called out randomly yesterday by Prerogative of Mercy Committee, led by Prof Oyelowo Oyewo, to review their applications.
The committee was at Kirikiri Maximum Prison for first-hand information on inmates who might be eligible for mercy and pardon.
Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, sentenced Akolade to death, having found him guilty of one count charge murder of his wife.
Oyewo said the committee would examine the depth of the crimes, whether or not the person cut his victim into pieces, how long he had spent in prison after conviction, whether or not he had repented and was remorseful and whether or not the society would accept the convict.
The committee chairman said a lot depended on the family, which was expected to give some undertaking and care for beneficiaries of prerogative of mercy, while those without family to receive them mighty lose the opportunity.
He said lifer outside prison would be based on the need for them to first reconcile with their families and ask for forgiveness.
Oyewo said: “I want to see it in you. Let your works speak for you: the way you comport yourself and mind who you flock with.”
The chairman said nobody on death row, life sentence or serving a long term should expect pardon immediately because there were various stages of prerogative of mercy.
He added that the governor had approved the applications for mercy of 18 prisoners whose cases were among those reviewed during the committee’s last visit to the prison.
Arowolo, who spoke on behalf of other condemned inmates, pleaded for mercy.
The prisoner said the convicts were remorseful and had learnt from their mistakes.
He said: “Your coming gave us a beacon of hope. I know that not everybody wrote application. Would there be opportunity for them? A lot of us have realized the wrongs that we did and having gone through the process of reformation, restoration and rehabilitation (3Rs), being faced with life and death, have held on to God that indeed we are wrong and plead that you give us a second chance.”
Deputy Controller for Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Seye Oduntan, said the committee’s visit reduced tension among the condemned prisoners.
Oduntan said the prison had been hot, following reports that government was considering the execution of Rev Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (aka Reverend King) whose death sentence was affirmed by the Supreme Court for the murder of one of his church members, Ann Uzor.
The governor has the constitutional power to grant the amnesty to prisoners.
Besides the condemned prisoners, there are also scores of those serving life sentences at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison in Lagos seeking the state’s mercy.
Arowolo, who was dressed in a sky blue T-shirt over a pair of blue jeans trousers, had a low haircut.
He sat among condemned prisoners who were called out randomly yesterday by Prerogative of Mercy Committee, led by Prof Oyelowo Oyewo, to review their applications.
The committee was at Kirikiri Maximum Prison for first-hand information on inmates who might be eligible for mercy and pardon.
Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja, sentenced Akolade to death, having found him guilty of one count charge murder of his wife.
Oyewo said the committee would examine the depth of the crimes, whether or not the person cut his victim into pieces, how long he had spent in prison after conviction, whether or not he had repented and was remorseful and whether or not the society would accept the convict.
The committee chairman said a lot depended on the family, which was expected to give some undertaking and care for beneficiaries of prerogative of mercy, while those without family to receive them mighty lose the opportunity.
He said lifer outside prison would be based on the need for them to first reconcile with their families and ask for forgiveness.
Oyewo said: “I want to see it in you. Let your works speak for you: the way you comport yourself and mind who you flock with.”
The chairman said nobody on death row, life sentence or serving a long term should expect pardon immediately because there were various stages of prerogative of mercy.
He added that the governor had approved the applications for mercy of 18 prisoners whose cases were among those reviewed during the committee’s last visit to the prison.
Arowolo, who spoke on behalf of other condemned inmates, pleaded for mercy.
The prisoner said the convicts were remorseful and had learnt from their mistakes.
He said: “Your coming gave us a beacon of hope. I know that not everybody wrote application. Would there be opportunity for them? A lot of us have realized the wrongs that we did and having gone through the process of reformation, restoration and rehabilitation (3Rs), being faced with life and death, have held on to God that indeed we are wrong and plead that you give us a second chance.”
Deputy Controller for Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Seye Oduntan, said the committee’s visit reduced tension among the condemned prisoners.
Oduntan said the prison had been hot, following reports that government was considering the execution of Rev Chukwuemeka Ezeugo (aka Reverend King) whose death sentence was affirmed by the Supreme Court for the murder of one of his church members, Ann Uzor.
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