The Lagos State Government has pardoned 30 inmates serving various prison terms for their offences.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) spokesperson in Lagos state confirmed that Rotomi Oladokun confirmed the release in an interview with journalists on Saturday.
Oladokun disclosed that the inmates were pardoned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kazeem Alogba.
“The inmates released are those who committed minor offences such as assault, disorderliness, low-level shoplifting, road traffic offences, theft, and burglary, among others,” Oladokun told the News Agency of Nigeria.
“There is, however, a need to free more inmates as the state custodial facilities are housing over 8000 inmates, which is above their capacities,” he added.
Oladokun called on the state government to use its justice system to check the database of inmates to see if more inmates could be released.
He also urged Nigerians to accept the freed inmates and help them reintegrate into society.
