How 397 inmates regained freedom within three years in Lagos

Over 397 inmates serving varying terms in Nigerian custodian centres (prisons) in Lagos regained their freedom between 2023 and 2025 on the recommendation of the Lagos State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

Lawal Pedro, Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, said the invocation of the constitutional Prerogative of Mercy became necessary to decongest the custodian centres and promote rehabilitation within the criminal justice system. There are three custodial centres in Lagos: Kirikiri Maximum, Kirikiri Minimum, and Ikoyi, with most inmates held awaiting trial for minor offences.

Pedro spoke at a ministerial briefing on Thursday, highlighting the activities of the Ministry of Justice the last one year in the build-up to the seventh anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration on May 29, 2026.

He explained that the Prerogative of Mercy is a constitutional power vested in the governor to grant relief to convicted persons through pardon, release, or commutation of sentences based on recommendations by the Lagos State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

“The Prerogative of Mercy is the constitutional power vested in the Governor to grant relief to a person convicted of a criminal offence, usually after conviction and sentence. It is an act of grace or clemency exercised in appropriate circumstances to mitigate the rigours of the law,” Pedro said.

According to him, the council reviewed 154 applications in 2023 and recommended 49 inmates for release. He added that in 2024, the council significantly expanded its activities by reviewing 516 applications, recommending 163 inmates for release, and approving seven commutations of sentences.

Pedro further revealed that in 2025, the council reviewed 293 applications, recommended 185 inmates for release, approved two commutations, and granted one full pardon.

Giving a breakdown of the figures within the review period, the Attorney-General said the council received a total of 963 applications, recommended 397 inmates for release, approved commutation of nine death sentences to life imprisonment, and granted one full pardon.

Pedro noted that the exercise formed part of broader criminal justice reforms aimed at ensuring fairness, rehabilitation, and decongestion of custodial centres in Lagos State.