Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has commuted the death sentence of six inmates to life imprisonment and approved the release of 52 others from various correctional facilities in the state.
Sanwo-olu’s action is based on the recommendations of the state’s Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.
Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, the State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Pedro said the order was for the immediate release of 35 inmates while others are to be released after serving additional terms of three-six months.
According to him, the Prerogative of Mercy is in line with Mr. Governors’ powers under Section 212 (1) & (2) of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended).
He explained that the pardon and release order underscored the commitment of the present administration to decongest correctional facilities in Lagos State as part of the Justice Sector Reforms in the State.
“The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy in reaching its recommendations exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications brought before it in line with the applicable guidelines with information provided by the Authority of the correctional facilities, the nature of offence the inmate was convicted for, period of incarceration, age, health condition and the behavioural conduct of the inmate.
“Before their release, the correctional centres are to confirm that arrangements have been put in place for the rehabilitation and integration into the society of the convicted inmates recommended for release,” he said.
While admonishing the inmates to be of good behaviour, the Commissioner said Mr. Governor’s release order is to be complied with after completion of the administrative process by the correctional facilities.