Adeleke to issue executive order freeing ‘unjustly incarcerated’ women in Osun

Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, says he would issue an executive order to pardon all “unjustly incarcerated” women in the state.

In a statement on Thursday, Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s chief press secretary, said Adeleke made the statement after a “marathon Intergovernmental discussion” between the Osun government and the ministry of women affairs in Abuja.

Adeleke said he directed the state’s commissioner for justice to prepare the executive order “in the spirit of Lent, Easter and Ramadan period”.

He added that the justice ministry will compile a list of affected women across the state to be granted executive pardon.

“I am also directing the immediate implementation of the resolution of the Nigerian Governor’s Forum for the establishment of Mobile Courts dedicated to addressing issues of sexual and gender-based violence, child abuse in the form of street begging and expedited trial of women and children held in correctional facilities,” the statement reads.

“The Nigeria Governors Forum recognizes that these issues impact on the well-being of women and children and the forum is committed to supporting the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs in proffering lasting solutions to the issues. Osun is enforcing the resolution immediately.”

Other dignitaries at the meeting include Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, minister of women affairs; Titi Adeleke, first lady of Osun; and Lere Oyewumi, senate minority leader.