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Prison Congestion: Oyo CJ Frees 38 Inmates From Custodial Centre

ByHafsoh Isiaq

PublishedMarch 20, 2024

No fewer than 38 inmates of the Oyo Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abolongo, Oyo Town, were on Tuesday, granted unconditional release by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima.

Justice Yerima during her visit to the centre on Tuesday, said the exercise was to see to inmates’ welfare and decongest the facility by discharging those who had been denied access to justice.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that among the 38 inmates, 18 were released on health grounds, having diseases such as septicemia, liver cirrhosis, severe rashes, and epilepsy.

Recall that 33 inmates had earlier been released on Monday by the CJ at Agodi Custodial Centre, Ibadan, bringing the number of inmates released in the state to 71.

Yerima said some of the released inmates had spent more time than what they could possibly serve given the offences they were charged with.

While stressing that the gesture would bring succour to the released inmates, she expressed hope that they had learnt their lessons and would go on to live peaceably within the society.

“Some inmates were released on compassionate grounds, some, due to sicknesses, while some regained freedom because they had overstayed; others because the legal advice says they should be released.

“We have been facing this issue of congestion of the court for a long time, and we have to look for a good and proper time to be able to conclude.

“It’s been tedious; the process is long as we have to call on registrars and magistrates so that we can know the decision of the cases.

“That is the way it is. It’s not something that can be rushed, hence we started early.

“We intend to have another shot in three months’ time,” she said.