The release of 246 inmates in Lagos State has been approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The approval was made on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, according to information shared on the state government’s X handle on Friday night.
A total of 39 inmates had their death sentences commuted to life imprisonment by Sanwo-Olu. Prerogative of Mercy is the power that allows for the granting of pardon or clemency to persons who have been convicted of certain offenses, vested mostly in the President of Nigeria or the governor of a state.
The release and committal orders were signed by the governor in cognizance of the New Year celebrations. This exercise is pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, as indicated in the state government post.
The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, in reaching its recommendations, exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications in line with the applicable guidelines, taking into account information provided by the correctional authorities, the nature of the offense, period of incarceration, age, health, and behavioral conduct of the inmates.
The approval for the release of the inmates aligns with the commitment of Mr. Governor to decongest correctional facilities in Lagos State as part of the Justice Sector Reforms, the post noted. Previously, in 2021, Sanwo-Olu had approved the release and committal of the sentences of four inmates in the state’s correctional centers, and on September 30, 2022, he approved the release of 46 inmates and commuted the death sentences of six inmates to life imprisonment upon the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
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