Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos state governor, has granted state pardon to popular Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele (Jenifa), and her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, who were convicted and sentenced to community service for holding a crowded house birthday party in April in breach of government’s COVID-19 prevention protocols.

A statement on Friday by the Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Ministry of Justice, said that Sanwo-Olu granted state pardon to the couple on the advice of the state’s Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

The statement also quoted the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), as stating that the governor acted pursuant to Section 212 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

It revealed that the governor, following the same advice, granted amnesty to 56 inmates from various correctional centres in the state and ordered their release.

The statement, titled, ‘Sanwo-Olu releases 56 inmates, pardons Funke Akindele, husband,’ read partly; “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 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.