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Lagos State Government today inaugurated a nine-member Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

The Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Adeniji Kazeem said the inauguration of the Council was a Constitutional provision granting the Governor the power to grant clemency to convicted persons on the advice of the Council.

‘Prerogative of Mercy is a right recognised under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), empowering the Governor of a State to grant pardon to any person convicted of an offence created by any Law of that State subject to any lawful condition that may be imposed’.

Kazeem said that the Council is to advise the Governor on the exercise of prerogative of mercy.
‘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 said His Excellency, the Governor of the State has approved the constitution of the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy in response to the persistent request of the people of Lagos State to grant pardon to some inmates that have properly been reformed and ready to be re-integrated back into the society, Kazeem identified the objectives of the State’s justice system to include reform and, as much as possible, rehabilitate back into society those who transgress the laws of the state after serving due punishment.

He said members were appointed based on their individual track records and experience and membership cut across key areas of the society.

The council has Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, a legal Practitioner as Chairman and Mrs Tola Akinsanya, Director Legislative Drafting, as Secretary to the Advisory Council.

Other members include Mr Adeniji Kazeem- Lagos Attorney-General; Mr. Olugbenga Oniyire –NBA Ikeja Branch; Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun-NBA Lagos Branch; Mr Adedotun Adebayo Adetunji-NBA Ikorodu Branch and Mr Chris Okoye-NBA Badagry.

A representative of the State Controller-General of Prisons, Mrs Musili Onasanya and Sheikh Abdul- Rahman Ahmed, a clergy are also members.

Kazeem informed that in accordance with the provisions of the Law, the tenure of office of members of this Advisory Council shall commence from 21st June 2016 to 28th May, 2019.

‘However, a member, not being a person employed in the Civil Service of the State, may at any time resign his appointment by writing under his hand addressed to the Governor’, he added.

Lagos AG implored members to work tirelessly to achieve the objectives and most importantly ensure that the most deserving inmates are adequately re-integrated into the society.

Responding on behalf of other members, the Chairman Prof. Oyewo thanks His Excellency for the appointment and opportunity to serve the State.

He promised that members will discharge their duties with probity and following due process.

BOLA AKINGBADE
DDPA –JUSTICE
30/06/16

http://www.lasgidionline.com.ng/2016/07/lasg-inaugurates-advisory-council-on.html

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