Independence anniversary: Sanwo-Olu releases 46 inmates

. As Defence Minister salutes Nigerians, hails military’s gallantry.

.Calls for intelligence to boost military campaigns

Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the release of 46 inmates from various correctional facilities across the state.

Sanwo-Olu also commuted the death sentences of six inmates to life imprisonment.

The approval is in celebration of Nigeria’s 62nd Independence Anniversary, according to a statement by Lagos State Attorney-General and   Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN).

The statement was issued on Friday in Lagos.

Moyosore said that the approval was based on recommendations of the Lagos State Advisory Council on  Prerogative of Mercy.

“The exercise is in pursuant to the provisions of Section 212 (1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Amended).

“The Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, in reaching its recommendations, exercised due diligence in its deliberation of the applications in line with the guidelines.

“The council took note of the information provided by correctional authorities, the nature of offense, period of incarceration, age, health and behavioural conduct of the inmates,” the official said.

He added that the approval was in demonstration of the governor’s commitment to decongesting correctional facilities in the state as part of the state’s justice sector reforms.

Meanwhile, The Minister of Defence,  Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) CFR is felicitating with Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 62nd Independence Anniversary Celebration.

This message is contained in a statement to mark this year’s Celebration of Nationhood coming shortly after Nigeria’ impressive performance at the 77th Session of the United Natlons General Assembly, UNGA in Newyork, USA.

General Magashi whose  birthday falls on October 1st of every year which is same date with the Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary Celebration today appealed to Nigerins to see the occasion as a wake-up call to be united in the onerous task of building a Secured, Safer and Virile Nation.

While druming Support for President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to  end insecurity bedeviling the country, the Defence Minister extolled the vision of the founding fathers of the Nation and commended the gallantry of the Military in national defence.

He said Six decades plus two years journey of a Nationhood symbolically underscores Systematic, Steady and Sustainable growth towards harvesting her full potentials as the most populous black Nation of the World and giant of Africa.

The General who is73 years today appealed for the buy-in of Nigerians into the various Military Campaigns by providing credible intelligence that will help to smoke out criminal elements in their camps and corridors.

In the moods and spirit of Independence Anniversary Celebration the Minister assured Nigerians that the Military will not renege on the task of defending the nation’s territorial integrity and on the commitment to end all threats in-line with the directive of the Commander-in- Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces,President Muhammadu Buhari.