The Osun State chapter of the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights (CDHR) is calling for the urgent rehabilitation of 52 out of 53 prisoners who were granted pardon by Governor Ademola Adeleke on December 26, 2024.
It was gathered that one of the pardoned prisoners has already returned to crime and is currently being held at the Ilesha Correctional Service.
The CDHR is concerned that the release of these prisoners without proper rehabilitation poses a significant risk to society. They argue that rehabilitation is mandated by law, citing the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015 and the Osun State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2018 ¹.
The CDHR has been pushing for rehabilitation since January 6, 2025, when they formally communicated their concerns to Governor Adeleke.
However, they have yet to receive a response. The urgency of the situation is highlighted by the recent arrest of one of the pardoned convicts, Sunday Omisakin, who was caught breaking into a building.
The CDHR is urging stakeholders, including citizens, civil society organizations, and government officials, to pressure the Osun State Government to prioritize rehabilitation and create intervention programs to address the underlying issues that led to criminal behavior.