Lagos pardons 14 inmates, converts 14 death row to life imprisonment
http://www.hrlnews.com/2019/04/lagos-pardons-14-inmates-converts-14.html
The Lagos State Government, through the Advisory Council on
Prerogative of Mercy, has pardoned 14 inmates of the Maximum Security
Prison in Kirikiri who have been imprisoned for over 20 years for
various offences, while 20 others on death row had their punishment
converted to life imprisonment.
Speaking while handing over the order for the release of the inmates
signed by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to prison authorities, the State’s
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem (SAN)
said the development was pursuant to Constitutional provision which
provides for the constitution of an Advisory Council and grants the
Governor power to grant clemency to convicted persons on the advice of
the Council.
“Prerogative of Mercy is a right recognised under the 1999
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended); Section
212(2) of the Constitution provides that the powers conferred on the
Governor under Section 212(1) shall be exercised by him after
consultation with the Advisory Council of the State on the Prerogative
of Mercy as may be established by the Law of the State,” Kazeem stated.
He said the inmates were considered to benefit from the prerogative
of mercy after due examination of their case files, which revealed that
they have been reformed and ready for re-integration into the society.
Kazeem, who is also a member of the Council, specifically congratulated
the inmates, and advised them to be of good conduct outside the prison.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Council, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo said
aside its power under the Constitution, the setting up of the Council
also serves as a way of de-congesting the prisons. He equally
congratulated the beneficiaries of the clemency by the Governor, and
urged them to avoid acts that led to into prison in the first place.
On his part, the Controller of Prison in charge of Kirikiri Maximum
Prison, DCP Emmanuel Oluwaniyi commended the State Government especially
the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice for the
efforts to de-congest the prison.
Oluwaniyi, who was newly deployed to the State, saying it was
particularly gratifying that he was commencing his stewardship in the
State on a good note with the release of inmates who are due to be
re-integrated into the society, just as he equally admonished them to be
of good conduct outside the prison.
Aside Oyewo and Kazeem, other members of the Lagos State Advisory
Council on Prerogative of Mercy are Mr. Adedotun Adetunji, Mrs Musili
Onasanya, Mr. Olumide Oniyire, Mr. Chris Okoye, Mrs. Bolatumi
Animashaun, and Mrs. Yemisi Ogunlola (Secretary).