74 condemned prisoners, others Apply for pardon

A total of 74 condemned prisoners have applied and are seeking freedom and mercy under the prerogative of mercy conferred on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State under the constitution. Aside from the condemned prisoners, there are also scores of serving life serving prisoners who are also seeking the mercy of the state.

The list of 74 condemned prisoners were called out randomly by Prerogative of Mercy Committee led by Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo,who were on a fact finding visit to Kirikiri Maximum Prison to have first hand information of the inmates that are eligible for mercy and pardon.  The committee was set up by the governor to review their applications yesterday.

The chairman of the committee, Prof. Oyewo said that there are rules and guidelines that would guide the committee in the conduct of its work.

He added that the committee would look at heinous nature of the crime, how long the inmate has spent in prison after conviction, whether he has truly repented, remorseful and whether the society would accept that person and there must be real reason for such a person to be release.

Prof. Oyewo also said that a lot really depend on the family who is expected to give some undertaking and care for beneficiaries of prerogative of mercy as those who have no family to receive them mighty lose the opportunity.

He said assurance of life outside prison is for them to first reconcile with their family, asking for forgiveness adding “I want to see it in you. Let your works speak for you, the way you comport yourself and mind who you flock with”.

He however said that nobody on death row, life sentence or serving a long prison term should expect pardon immediately as there are different stages of prerogative of mercy.

Prof. Oyewo also disclosed that the governor has approved the application for mercy of 18 prisoners whose cases were among those reviewed during their last visit to the prison facility.

As part of the criminal justice reform, Prof Oyewo informed the gathering that the state government is considering the parole and custodian system of sentencing amongst others.

Deputy Controller, Kirikiri Maximum prison, Seye Oduntan thanked the committee for the visit which he said helped to reduce tension amongst the condemned prisoners.

Oduntan said that the prison was heated since last week following reports that government was considering execution of Reverend Chukwuemeka Ezeugo a.k.a. Reverend King whose death sentence was recently affirmed by the Supreme Court for the murder of one of his church members.