Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the release of 46 inmates from various correctional facilities across Lagos state and also commuted the death sentences of six inmates to life imprisonment.

A statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, said the gesture was in celebration of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary.

“The exercise is in pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended),” Mr Onigbanjo said.

In the statement issued on Friday in Lagos, Mr Onigbanjo added that the approval was based on recommendations of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

“The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, in reaching its recommendations, exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications in line with the guidelines.

“The council took note of information provided by correctional authorities, the nature of offence, period of incarceration, age, health and behavioural conduct of the inmates,” Mr Onigbanjo said.

He added that the approval was in demonstration of the governor’s commitment to decongesting correctional facilities in the state as part of the state’s justice sector reforms.

(NAN)