.frees 397 inmates through prerogative of mercy
By Our Reporter
The Lagos State Government's Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said 2,342 legal advices were issued while 1,485 criminal charges were filed between 2023 and 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen criminal justice administration and accelerate prosecution processes in the state.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, disclosed this on Thursday during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held to commemorate the third year of the second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
He described the DPP as a critical pillar in the administration of criminal justice, noting that the agency continued to ensure prompt legal advice, diligent prosecution of criminal cases, and implementation of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms within the criminal justice system.
According to Pedro, the directorate received 2,620 case files for legal advice during the review period, out of which 2,342 legal advices were successfully issued, while 279 matters remained pending.
He further revealed that the DPP processed 770 plea bargain applications, approving 687 applications and rejecting 68 others in a move aimed at reducing court congestion and speeding up criminal trials.
The Attorney-General said, through the District Prosecutors Scheme, the directorate received 12,846 case files, approved 11,680 cases for prosecution, declined 768 matters, and returned 18 unresolved files to the courts for further proceedings.
Pedro disclosed that the DPP secured 391 judgments in criminal cases during the review period, describing the achievement as evidence of the state government’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law and ensuring timely dispensation of justice.
"The activities of the Directorate significantly enhanced the efficiency of criminal justice administration, promoted speedy dispensation of justice, reduced unnecessary delays in criminal proceedings, and reinforced public confidence in the justice system," Pedro said.
Pedro also addressed several high-profile criminal cases that attracted public attention during the period, including the Owode Onirin incident involving the death of six traders, the inquest into the death of Master Nkanu Adichie-Esege, son of writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and the case involving Michael Adebiyi, a teenager alleged to have been unlawfully detained.
On the Owode Onirin killings, the Attorney-General explained that legal advice issued by the ministry was based strictly on evidence available in the police case file, adding that crucial forensic materials such as post-mortem and ballistic reports were not initially provided by the police authorities.
Pedro maintained that the ministry remained committed to fair, impartial, and evidence-based prosecution without political interference or public pressure.
Besides, he also highlighted notable convictions secured by the state, including the conviction of BRT driver, Andrew Nice Ominikoron, for the murder of Oluwabamise Ayanwola, and the life imprisonment sentences handed to medical doctor Olufemi Olaleye and cleric Chris Mcdouglas Omosekpea in separate defilement and rape cases.
The Attorney-General added that several high-profile criminal matters, including the murder trial of alleged "Killaboi" suspect, Benjamin Best Nnanyereugo, remained ongoing before the Lagos High Court.
Speaking further, Pedro disclosed that the state government approved the release of 397 inmates from correctional facilities across the state between 2023 and 2025 through the Prerogative of Mercy, saying that the exercise formed part of broader criminal justice reforms aimed at ensuring fairness, rehabilitation, and decongestion of custodial centres in Lagos State.
"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," he stated.
According to him, the council reviewed 154 applications in 2023 and recommended 49 inmates for release, adding that the council, in 2024, significantly expanded its activities by reviewing 516 applications, recommending 163 inmates for release, and approving seven commutations of sentences.
The Attorney-General 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, Pedro 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.
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