Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gabriel Giwa-Amu, has commended the state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, for the recent inauguration of the Prerogative of Mercy Council, describing it as a landmark decision that will not only ameliorate an already deteriorating situation in the country’s prisons, but also bring succour to those who are unnecessarily held there.
The activist said for those who are at the vanguard of the decongestion of prisons through their various NGOS, the development would be received by them with prayers for the Lagos State helmsman.
Giwa-Amu said: “I received the cheering news with a lot of delight because I have singularly through my pet project, Stephen and Solomon Foundation, over the years offered free legal services for indigent persons behind prison walls.
“So far, we have facilitated the release of over 2,000 indigent inmates probono and so the decision to set up this Prerogative of Mercy Council by the Fashola administration means the government will indeed take some load off my back.”
Giwa-Amu noted that since Fashola took over the affairs of Lagos State, he has displayed traits of a good leader on so many occasions, making those who belong to the legal profession proud of him.
He said with this development, the Stephen and Solomon Foundation will be ready to offer the council any help “if we are called to do so.”
