The release of 56 prisoners from various prisons in Lagos State has been approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, marking a significant step towards the decongestion of the state’s correctional facilities.
In keeping with the governor’s pledge to improve the justice system, the decision was taken based on the advice of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Lawal Pedro, SAN, the state’s commissioner for justice and attorney general, made the declaration in a statement on Tuesday. The announcement also disclosed that the governor had approved the pardon of one prisoner and the commute of another’s death sentence to life in prison.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended)’s Section 212 (1) (2) was followed during the exercise. The applications were thoroughly considered by the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, which considered several aspects including the type of offenses committed, the length of the detention, the age and physical condition of the prisoners, and their conduct.
The governor hopes to provide people who have demonstrated good behavior and evidence of rehabilitation during their detention a second chance by using the Prerogative of Mercy.
“The approval for the release of the inmates is in line with the commitment of Mr. Governor to decongest correctional facilities in Lagos State as part of the Justice Sector Reforms.”