Osun CJ Frees 12 Inmates
The Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, on Wednesday released 12 inmates from Ilesa and Ile-Ife Correctional Centres.
The inmates were released during the Chief Judge and Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice’s visit to the two facilities.
Ojo said that the inmates were freed as part of measures to decongest the prisons.
The chief judge announced the release of eight inmates from the Ilesa Correctional Centre and four from the Ile-Ife Correctional Centre on compassionate grounds.
According to her, the release of the inmates is to decongest the prisons and address the issue of inmates being held for extended periods without trial.
Ojo explained that one of the inmates was released on health grounds, while others were pardoned because they had overstayed the stipulated number of years for their offences, if they were sentenced.
She promised that accelerated hearings would be given to those who were not released.
The chief judge emphasised that judicial officers had a duty to ensure the release of those worthy of release and punish those deserving of punishment.
She warned the freed inmates to turn a new leaf, cautioning that if any of them appeared before any court for any offence, they would not be favoured again.
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
