Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has approved the release of 43 inmates from correctional facilities across the state, reinforcing ongoing efforts to decongest custodial centres and strengthen justice sector reforms.

The development, announced by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, forms part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing overcrowding while improving efficiency within the criminal justice system.

Pedro disclosed that the release was executed under the governor’s constitutional prerogative of mercy, as provided under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The beneficiaries, he noted, were carefully selected following recommendations by the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, in line with established legal procedures.

The latest exercise follows a similar intervention in December 2025, when 91 inmates were granted clemency, signaling a sustained and structured approach to correctional reform in the state.

Beyond inmate release, the Lagos State Government is advancing complementary measures to tackle systemic inefficiencies. These include the provision of logistics to ease inmate transportation for court appearances—an initiative expected to accelerate trial processes and reduce delays. Notably, the state recently supplied buses to correctional authorities to improve the movement of inmates.

Infrastructure upgrades are also underway, with renovation and rehabilitation projects targeting correctional facilities across the state to improve living conditions and operational capacity.

In a broader policy push, Pedro called for deeper collaboration with the Federal Government, suggesting that greater state-level control over correctional facilities could address persistent challenges such as weak oversight, inadequate funding, and overcrowding within the system.

He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to balancing justice with human rights, emphasizing that ongoing reforms are designed to protect public safety, uphold victims’ rights, and promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders.

The move positions Lagos as a key player in driving subnational justice reforms, with a focus on practical interventions that address both immediate pressures and long-term structural issues within Nigeria’s correctional system.