Sanwo-Olu grants Actress Funke Akindele, husband state pardon

 

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, has granted state pardon to Funke Akindele, a Nollywood actress, and Abdulrasheed Bello, her husband, who were earlier convicted for flouting the state’s COVID-19 directives.

 

Moyosore Onigbanjo, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, broke the news in a statement on Friday.

 

According to Onigbanjo, the governor’s action was based on 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 (FRN) as amended.

 

A magistrate court had in April sentenced the duo to 14-day community service each after they pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them.

 

NigerianEye had reported how the award-winning actress and her celebrity husband were arrested for holding a house party to mark the latter’s birthday.

 

The couple wee said to have violated the social distancing directives put in place — at that time — to curb spread of COVID-19.

 

Their state pardon also comes at about the same time when the governor approved the release of 56 inmates from various correctional centres across the state.

 

Onigbanjo said the inmates were recommended for release by the council after examining several factors including length of time served, the gravity of offence, old age and ill-health among other parameters.

 

The attorney-general also urged those who benefited from the arrangement to stay away from crime and remain good citizens.

 

Sanwo-Olu had in December last year constituted the eight-member council led by Abayomi Finnih.