The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, freed another 129 persons on Thursday from the Ikoyi Prison in Lagos.
Ayotunde had on Wednesday released 119 awaiting trial inmates from the Kirikiri medium and maximum prisons in the state.
Phillips ordered the Thursday release while paying a visit to the prison as part of activities marking the 2013/2014 Legal Year of the State Judiciary.
Phillips said, “It is unfortunate that there are so many inmates awaiting trial despite our modest attempt to decongest the prison. These inmates being released have already spent many years awaiting trial.
“However, I am happy to hear that none of the inmates released on my last visit to Ikoyi Prison in November 2012, have made their way back here.” Phillips also advised the freed inmates to use their talents to make positive impact in the society.
Deputy Controller of Prisons, Ikoyi Prisons, Mr. Emmanuel Bamidele, thanked Phillips for her efforts in decongesting the prison.
Bamidele said, “Of the 1,835 inmates in Ikoyi Prison, only 164 have been convicted. The remaining 1,671 inmates, are awaiting trial. The number of persons who have been released today will go some way in decongesting this facility.
“Ikoyi prison is a proper correctional facility where inmates are reformed, rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society. These inmates have learnt their lessons and have resolved to be law abiding citizens.
“They were taught vocational skills here such as soap making and furniture making and some of them are into singing and acting.”
Section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act, CAP C40, 2007, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, empowers the chief judge to grant freedom to inmates who have spent a period longer than what they ought to have spent if they were convicted for the offences they were charged with. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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May God bless dis woman,am so happy 4 dis ppl.
ReplyDeleteGod bless her if this is not an avenue to release political thugs. Cos thats what they always do. Opportunity to reales hard harded crimo that is theirs.
ReplyDelete