Lagos CJ releases 31 more inmates
In continuation of the effort to reduce the population of awaiting trial inmates in prison custody, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, yesterday released 31 inmates from the Ikoyi prisons.
While freeing the inmate yesterday, Atilade advised them never to return to crime again, adding that her administration will continue to review cases of inmates who have no business being in prison
With this released of 31 inmates, and the 153 earlier released on Wednesday from the Kirikiri Maximum and Medium prisons, the total number f freed inmates now stands at 184.
The judge said she acted on the prerogative power vested in her, pursuant to section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act Cap C40, 2007 Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Addressing the freed inmates, she said, “those of you that have been released today should see this as an opportunity for a new beginning. You must henceforth be of good behaviour and never return to crime.”
The CJ stated that her administration would not allow unnecessary delay of cases, as it was committed to decongesting the prison.
“The purpose of carrying this exercise is to achieve a reduction of the awaiting trial population in the prisons. Situations where cases are allowed to unnecessarily drag on in court, will no longer be tolerated,” she added.
The judge admonished the state Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), to always provide the Prison Decongestion Committee detailed information about the awaiting trial inmates.
Atilade tasked the DPP to develop mechanism where cases files of inmates can easily be accessed and reviewed by the committee, warning prison authorities to assist the prison decongestion committee with relevant information that could decongest the prisons.
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1 Comments
Humanitarian! Compassionate! Thank you madam. Forgiveness is in your spirit. Great to hear you did this while the president seeks perpetual detention of political enemies. It is good to go to school
We will review and take appropriate action.