The governor of the US state of Maryland issued a mass pardon of drug offenses on Monday, in a far-reaching move forgiving 175,000 low-level marijuana convictions across multiple decades.
Democrat Wes Moore said his act — “the most sweeping state-level pardon” in American history — was aimed at addressing social and economic injustices disproportionately impacting tens of thousands of Black people.
Moore, the eastern state’s first Black governor, said he intended to right the “decades of harm” wrought by drug policy that had disproportionately targeted African Americans, depriving them of access to housing, education and employment.
Nearly half of all state drug arrests during the early 2000s were for cannabis, he said, with Black Marylanders three times more likely to be detained over cannabis-related charges than white residents.
And while the state’s population of six million is 33 percent Black, more than 70 percent of Maryland’s male incarcerated population is Black.
“Today, we take a big step enacting the kinds of policies that can reverse the harm of the past and to help us to work together to build a brighter future,” Moore said as he signed the pardons into law in a ceremony in the capital Annapolis.
“This is a big deal. This is a really big deal.”
He said the scope of the pardons — affecting some 100,000 people — amounted to a “sweeping and unapologetic” executive action by officials looking to erase criminal justice inequities as more states nationwide ease marijuana laws.
After a state-wide referendum, Maryland legalized cannabis for adults and retail sales of the drug in 2023.
The governor said the pardons would extend to anyone with a misdemeanor conviction for possession of marijuana or paraphernalia.
“The data shows the deeply rooted bias in drug-related arrests and sentencing. Cannabis convictions for hundreds of thousands of people here in Maryland were Scarlet Letters, modern day shackles,” added Maryland’s Attorney General Anthony Brown.
“This morning, I can almost hear the clanging of those shackles falling to the floor.”
The pardons will not result in anyone being released from jail, the governor’s office said.
The action was cheered by criminal justice reform activists including Jason Ortiz, director of strategic initiatives for the Last Prisoner Project, who recounted being arrested at 16 for cannabis possession.
“I was thrown out of school, denied access to my high school education, ripped from my family and my friends, and had to endure two years of isolation for a simple cannabis possession charge,” he said.
“The Last Prisoner Project applauds Governor Moore (and) his administration’s actions to rectify the historic racial disparities caused by cannabis prohibition… Today is literally the most powerful day in cannabis justice history for the entire nation. That’s an incredible thing.”
Heather Warnken, executive director at the Center for Criminal Justice Reform at the University of Baltimore Law School, called the action a “win for thousands of Marylanders getting a fresh start,” but also a victory for the legitimacy of the justice system itself.
“We have a lot of work to do, but for this moment here today, we celebrate this first step,” she said.
“We celebrate the justice and dignity and restoration that it represents and, filled with that momentum, tomorrow, we keep forging ahead.”
AFP
PRESS STATEMENT
From: Okun Development Association (ODA)
The Okun Development Association (ODA), on behalf of Okun sons and daughters worldwide, extend sincere appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,
GCFR, for the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, as Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission. (INEC). We receive this decision as a clear
endorsement of competence and character, and as a call to national service, anchored on
merit. The confidence reposed in Prof. Amupitan SAN, is an honour to Okunland, to Kogi
State, and to every Nigerian who believes that public office should reward integrity and
capacity.
ODA declares, without reservations, our unflinching support for Prof. Joash Amupitan
SAN, as he assumes leadership of INEC at a defining moment in our nation’s democratic
journey. His public and academic record reflect uncommon discipline, fidelity to due
process, and abiding respect for institutions. In every assignment he has handled, Prof.
Amupitan SAN, has shown the temperament, intellectual depth, and moral courage
required to manage sensitive national duties with fairness and firmness. We are assured
that these qualities will guide his stewardship of the Commission.
Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, personifies the values Okunland holds dear: honesty, hard
work, humility, and service above self. As a scholar, he has raised generations of
Nigerians who today serve in critical sectors of our society. As an administrator, he has
built systems that outlast individuals.
His commitment to strong, impartial institutions is exactly what INEC requires to
consolidate public trust. We are confident that under his leadership, the Commission will
discharge its constitutional mandate without fear or favour, and that his tenure will
strengthen the credibility of our electoral process.
ODA is mindful that the office of INEC Chairman will always attract intense public
scrutiny. While such scrutiny is part of democracy, we respectfully remind all
stakeholders, political actors, and concerned citizens that Nigeria’s constitutional order
provides established channels for resolving disputes. We therefore urge any aggrieved
parties to ventilate their concerns through the appropriate legal and institutional
mechanisms. We call for restraint in public commentary and ask all Nigerians to grant
Prof. Amupitan the calm and institutional space needed to serve the nation with neutrality,
courage and desired result.
The Okun Development Association reaffirms its commitment to national unity,
democratic stability, and the success of the Tinubu administration. We assure the
President and the Nigerian people that Prof. Joash Amupitan SAN, will discharge his
responsibilities with honour, will bring credibility and candour to his office, to Okunland,
and to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We request the prayers and goodwill of all citizens
as he undertakes this solemn duty for the nation.
God bless Okunland.
God bless Kogi State.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Amb. (Chief) Akenson Rotimi
President General,
Okun Development Association.
President-General: Amb. Akenson Rotimi
08075259447
The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed four properties across Ikotun and Ajah for illegally discharging untreated wastewater into public spaces.
The enforcement action, carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, targeted two residential properties at 13, Oritola Street and 1, Temitope Street, Pipeline, Ikotun.
The commissioner for the environment, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed the development on X on Thursday, added that a public toilet and a mechanic workshop along Badore Road, Ajah, were also sealed on Thursday.
Wahab said the Ikotun properties were sealed following public complaints, repeated warnings and verified findings from an investigation.
Some of the sealed locations. Photo: Tokunbo Wahab on X
He said the owners had been deliberately channelling untreated wastewater through pipes onto roads.
“The present situation, which remains unabated, showed that the properties were deliberately releasing untreated wastewater into the environment through pipes onto the roads, thereby constituting public nuisance,” he said.
The Ajah premises were shut over what the agency described as “indiscriminate discharge of wastewater into the public drain and the environment.”
Wahab warned that the crackdown would continue, saying individuals and organisations found violating environmental regulations would face appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution under enabling laws.
“@followlasg reiterates the need for residents and property managers to adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices.
“Individual or organisation found contravening environmental regulations will be meted with appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution in accordance with the enabling laws,” Wahab added.oads, thereby constituting public nuisance,” he said.
The The Lagos State Wastewater Management Office has sealed four properties across Ikotun and Ajah for illegally discharging untreated wastewater into public spaces.
The enforcement action, carried out on Wednesday and Thursday, targeted two residential properties at 13, Oritola Street and 1, Temitope Street, Pipeline, Ikotun.
The commissioner for the environment, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed the development on X on Thursday, added that a public toilet and a mechanic workshop along Badore Road, Ajah, were also sealed on Thursday.
Wahab said the Ikotun properties were sealed following public complaints, repeated warnings and verified findings from an investigation.Ajah premises were shut over what the agency described as “indiscriminate discharge of wastewater into the public drain and the environment.”
Wahab warned that the crackdown would continue, saying individuals and organisations found violating environmental regulations would face appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution under enabling laws.
“@followlasg reiterates the need for residents and property managers to adhere strictly to proper wastewater management practices.
“Individual or organisation found contravening environmental regulations will be meted with appropriate sanctions and possible prosecution in accordance with the enabling laws,” Wahab added.
Former Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. Kola Egunjobi, has emerged as a strong contender for the House of Representatives, with his extensive record of road construction and rehabilitation projects widely cited as a key reason he deserves to represent Agege Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber.
During his tenure in Agege, Lagos State, Egunjobi initiated and delivered a broad range of road projects aimed at improving connectivity and stimulating local economic activities.
These projects, executed through new construction, rehabilitation, and interlocking stone paving, were strategically spread across the council area to address critical infrastructure gaps and long-standing community needs.
Notably, his administration constructed several new roads, including: Awori/Adesokan Street, Union Road in Dopemu, Alagbigba Street with streetlights, and Taiwo Street, also equipped with streetlights.
Similarly, Oniwaya Market Road, Sanni Omomeji Street, Abudu Oladejo Street, Shodipo Street, Ishola Yusuf Street, and Ogunjobi Street were completed, thereby easing movement and enhancing commercial access within key parts of the locality.
Furthermore, the administration rehabilitated Ashade Ogba Road, while also extending development to: Majaro Street, Oshungboye Keke Road, Humani Street, Onibeju Street, Imam Ojoku Street, Alowonle Street, and Ajibose Street. In the same vein, projects such as Elicana Phase 1, Ajakaiye Street, Arigidi/Sonaya Street, Adegbola Street, Adeniyi Street, Onilude Street, Okanlawon Street, Old Union Street, Onafuwa Street, and Abolore Phase 1 were successfully delivered.
In addition, construction works covered Anuoluwapo Street, Ashafa Street, Oredapo Street, Mayaka Street, Sarumi Alawo Street, Akerele Street, Ashiata Street, Abeje Street, Ashaolu Street, and Kosoko Street.
Significantly, Adebari Street was both constructed and interlocked, while Olowo Street benefitted from a combination of construction, installation of streetlights, and the provision of a security house, reflecting a comprehensive approach to infrastructure and safety.
Residents and stakeholders have continued to acknowledge the impact of these projects.
A community leader noted that the roads “greatly improved accessibility and supported economic activities across several neighbourhoods,” adding that many previously inaccessible areas have now been opened up.
Consequently, political observers maintain that Egunjobi’s infrastructure footprint underscores his administrative capacity and grassroots appeal.
They argued that his performance in office provides a solid foundation for legislative representation.
As the contest for the Green Chamber intensifies, supporters insist that his track record in road development remains a defining factor, positioning him as a candidate capable of attracting meaningful progress and sustained development for Agege at the national level.
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