Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has granted state pardon to Nollywood actress Funke Akindele-Bello and her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello alias JJC Skillz who are both non-custodial convicts for offences related to the disobedience of COVID-19 lockdown regulations.
The couple had hosted a birthday party on April 4 in violation of a lockdown imposed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General Moyosore Onigbanjo said in a statement on Friday signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice Kayode Oyekanmi that Mr Sanwo-Olu granted the pardon 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.
The governor also approved the release of 56 inmates from various correctional centres across the state.
“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 offence, old age and ill-health, among other parameters,” the statement read.
Mr Onigbanjo enjoined the beneficiaries to be good citizens and stay away from crime.
Sanwo-Olu had in December 2019 constituted the eight-member advisory council headed by Abayomi Finnih.
