By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Lagos State Government, in its bid to ensure justice for all yesterday inaugurated a nine-member Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy at the Conference Room of Ministry of Justice, Alausa, Ikeja.

Members of the Lagos State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem stated that the inauguration of the Council by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode is derived from the Nigeria Constitution which provides for the constitution of an Advisory Council and grants the Governor 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); 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,” Kazeem stated.

The new Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy members are Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, a legal practitioner as Chairman;Mrs. TolaAkinsanya, Director, Legislative Drafting, as Secretary; Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, Lagos Attorney-General; Mr. Olugbenga Oniyire,Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch; Mrs. Bolatumi Animashaun, NBA Lagos Branch; Mr. Adedotun Adebayo Adetunji, NBA, Ikorodu Branch and Mr. Chris Okoye, NBA, Badagry; Mrs. Musili Onasanya, representative of the State Controller-General of Prisons and Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Ahmed, a clergyman.