Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the release of some inmates from prison to mark the advent of 2023. It was learned that these former prisoners were selected based on a list compiled by an advisory board for their good conduct and exemplary behavior during incarceration.

On New Year's Day, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will grant pardons to no fewer than 104 inmates across the various correctional facilities in Lagos state. The state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, announced this development in a statement released on Friday, December 30.

According to the statement, 104 prisoners have been recommended for release by the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

The statement reads:

“The Governor signed the release order on the 28th of December 2022 in cognisance of the Spirit of the Season and the New Year Festive Celebration.

“The exercise is pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 (1)&(2) of the 1999 Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria ( as amended).

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

A news report stated that the advisory council used data on inmates gathered by prison officials as grounds for recommending whether each person should be released.

However, the release of these inmates was part of a reform within all correctional facilities in Lagos State; they were being released as part of government efforts to decongest those prisons.