Korede Abdullah 
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu grants pardon to 43 inmates as part of efforts to decongest correctional centres and strengthen the justice system.
The decision follows an earlier release of 91 inmates in December 2025 and is executed under the constitutional prerogative of mercy.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, on Monday says the move reflects the government’s commitment to fairness, rehabilitation, and human rights.
“Our goal is to create conditions that support rehabilitation, ensure public safety, and uphold the rights of inmates,” Pedro says.
He confirms that beneficiaries are carefully vetted on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, despite not completing their sentences.
The state government also introduces measures to improve correctional operations, including the procurement of two coaster buses to transport inmates to court, aimed at reducing delays in trial proceedings.
Officials say infrastructure upgrades and facility renovations are ongoing to improve living conditions and support reintegration.
Pedro further calls on the federal government to transfer one correctional facility in Lagos to state control, arguing that such a move would enhance oversight, transparency, and funding efficiency.
Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous state, continues to face significant prison congestion challenges, with authorities balancing the need for justice reform, public safety, and inmates’ rights.
The latest pardons signal a broader push towards a more humane and efficient criminal justice system.
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Chukwu Obinna 
