Kazeem explained that the inmates were pardoned based on the advice of the Advisory Council saying, “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”.

He disclosed that the beneficiaries of the prerogative of mercy were selected after rigorous examination of their case files which revealed that they had been reformed and ready for re-integration into the society.

While congratulating the affected inmates, the Commissioner advised the pardoned prisoners to be good of behaviour after their release.

The Chairman of the Council, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo reiterated that apart from its power under the Constitution, the setting up of the Council by the Lagos State government also served as a way of decongesting the prisons.

He, therefore, congratulated the beneficiaries of the gesture by the Governor and charged them to avoid acts that led them to crime.

In his remarks, the Controller of Prison in Charge of Kirikiri Maximum Prison DCP. Emmanuel Oluwaniyi thanked the government for its efforts to decongest prisons in Lagos State.

Oluwaniyi, recently deployed to the State, said he was happy to begin his stewardship in Lagos on a good note with the release of inmates who were due to be re-integrated into the society, just as he equally admonished them to be of good conduct after release.

The Lagos State Advisory Council of Prerogative of Mercy has as members Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo (Chairman); Mr. Adeniji Kazeem (SAN); Mr. Adedotun Adetunji; Mrs. Musiliu Onasanya; Mr. Olumide Oniyire; Mr. Chris Okoye; Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun and Mrs. Yemisi Ogunlola (Secretary).