Osun

Why Many Osun Awaiting Trial Inmates May Stay Long In Detention – Investigation

ByYusuf Oketola

PublishedJanuary 31, 2025

MANY awaiting trial prisoners in Osun State may stay for long periods in detention, investigation by OSUN DEFENDER has revealed.

According to findings by the medium, lack of escort vehicles to convey awaiting trial inmates or detainees to court have hindered effective service delivery by the Prison Service in the state.

It was gathered that the Ilesa Medium Security Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Service has only one operational vehicle, used for the conveyance of the over 700 awaiting trial inmates to the 32 courts across the state.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that four of the operational vehicles have developed faults beyond repair, a situation causing a perversion of justice in the state. According to information, challenges with the vehicles range from engine to gear faults, among others.

Also, the bus being used as an Ambulance is totally down.

A source within the custodial centre told OSUN DEFENDER that the prison requires an urgent intervention from the state government, saying the present situation is not in the best interest of the inmates.

The source said inmates are unable to attend court proceedings due to lack of operational vehicles which made them stay longer than expected as awaiting trial inmates.

“The present situation of Ilesa prison is disheartening. All the operational vehicles are grounded and beyond repair. We urgenly need the assistance of the state government. They should provide us more vehicles for the easy conveyance of awaiting trial inmates to various courts in the state. We have only just one vehicle to take over 700 inmates to about 32 courts in Osun.

“Many of the awaiting trial inmates are staying longer than expected because they could not go to court whenever their matter comes up. We implore Governor Ademola Adeleke to please help us and make our service efficient,” the source disclosed.

OSUN DEFENDER also gathered that the prison’s medical centre lacks necessary drugs for inmate use while the prison management has resorted to self-help in renovating some of the buildings and offices.

A warder who spoke with the medium under the condition of anonymity said: “We need more drugs and other items in the health centre. Most of the drugs are donated by NGOs and individuals. The government should please supply us necessary drugs and sensitive materials for the inmates use.

“Our offices as well need to be renovated. We are the one soliciting for help from individuals to renovate some of the offices. The state government should please help us. We appreciate them for what they are doing.”

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Meanwhile, the problem has been attributed to budgetary indiscipline. This was made known by an Osogbo-based legal practitioner during an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday.

According to the legal luminary who do not want his name in print, there is money budgeted to take prisoners to court in Nigeria’s annual budget but it is being mismanaged by some prison officials, a situation causing prison congestion.

He said: “There is yearly allocation budgeted for all prisons in the country to take prisoners to court but these funds are being embezzled by some prison top officials.

“We lawyers are facing difficulties due to this challenge. We will come to court and accused persons won’t show up. You will hear stories like the prison did not bring them to court. It’s really frustrating.

“Even in some cases, Inmates have to contribute money to buy fuel for prison to take them to court. I want to plead with both Osun and Federal Government to provide our prisons in the state with necessary facilities. The Governor should give out vehicles for the sake of the inmates and to reduce congestion in our prisons.”

Yusuf Oketola

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.