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Lagos pardons 14 inmates after 20 years in prison

By Gbenga Salau
27 April 2019   |   4:13 am
The Lagos State Government, through the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, yesterday pardoned 14 inmates of the Maximum Security Prison in Kirikiri...

Nigeria Prison

• Coverts Death Row For 20 Others To Life Imprisonment
The Lagos State Government, through the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, yesterday 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, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), said the development was pursuant to constitutional provision that allow for the constitution of an Advisory Council and grants the governor power to grant clemency to convicted persons on the advice of the Council under Section 212(2).

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, 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 congratulated the beneficiaries, urging them to avoid acts that led to into prison in the first place.

Controller of Prison in charge of Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Emmanuel Oluwaniyi, commended the state government for its efforts to de-congest the prison, admonishing the former inmates to be of good conduct outside the prison.

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