Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, acting on the advice of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, has approved the release of 56 detainees from various correctional facilities around the state.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by Lawal Pedro, SAN, the state’s attorney general and commissioner of justice, the governor also gave his approval for one death row convict to be sent to life in prison.
The announcement further disclosed that on June 25, 2024, the governor signed the orders for the release, committal, and pardon of one prisoner who had been granted a pardon.
The exercise is under the provisions of Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (amended).
The statement said, “The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, in making its conclusions, undertook due attention in deliberating the applications in accordance with the applicable criteria.
“The council took note of the information provided by the correctional authorities, the nature of offence, period of incarceration, age, health and behavioural conduct of the inmates.
“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.”
