Covid-19: Sanwo-Olu Pardons Funke Akindele, Hubby, 56 Others

Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pardoned Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello.

News Rain Nigeria gathered that Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has granted State pardon to Mrs. Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, Mr. Abdulrasheed Bello, who are both non-custodial convicts for offenses related to the disobedience of COVID-19 lockdown regulations. The governor also approved the release of 56 inmates from various correctional centers.

This is according to a statement issued by Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Kayode Oyekanmi signed on behalf of the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.

Covid-19: Sanwo-Olu Pardons Funke Akindele, Hubby, 56 Others

According to the statement, Mr. 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 the offense, 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.

It will be recalled that in June this year Funke Akindele and husband, Abdulrasheed popularly called JJC Skillz have both been found guilty of going against government directives.

Akindele and her husband were to also go into self-isolation for 14 days in an undisclosed location.

Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, JJC Skillz were both sentenced to14 days of community service with a fine of N100,000 each.

The sentence was given by Chief magistrate Yewande Aje-Afunwa at the Ogba Magistrate Court on Monday, April 6, 2020, after the celebrity couple was found guilty of hosting a house party during the government-ordered lockdown.