Coronavirus: Lagos releases 209 prisoners

IKEJA, Nigeria – The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has released 209 prisoners remanded in the various correctional centres in the state as part of effort to decongest the centres and allow for social distancing so as to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus.

Inmates that qualify for the gesture are inmates above 60 years old, inmates doing time for misdemeanor and minor offences, inmates who have physical/mental challenges, inmates with 6 months left to complete their time and those who have served 75% of their sentence, the governor said.

“Earlier today I ordered the release of 209 inmates remanded in various correctional centres across the state, in view of the Coronavirus pandemic.

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The beneficiaries of this order cut across inmates above 60 years old, inmates doing time for misdemeanor and minor offences, inmates who have physical/mental challenges, inmates with 6 months left to complete their time and those who have served 75% of their sentence.

“This was done in part to decongest correctional centres in view of the Coronavirus Pandemic; and is part of a larger effort to bring lasting reform to the administration of criminal justice in the country.

“We will continue to exercise policies that further strengthen efforts to bring lasting reforms to criminal justice administration in the country.