The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Iyabode Yerima, has released a total of 78 inmates from the Agodi and Abolongo custodial centres of the Nigeria Correctional Service in a move to decongest the facilities.
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A total of 40 inmates were freed from the Agodi Custodial Centre on Tuesday, while 38 inmates from the Abolongo Custodial Centre regained their freedom on Wednesday.
Among those released were inmates awaiting trial for bailable, non-capital offences who had been in custody for more than four months.
Others included inmates facing capital offences who had been awaiting trial for over two years, as well as those suffering from serious illnesses.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that the 40 inmates released from the Agodi Custodial Centre were among 957 inmates in a facility with a capacity of 390.
Before the release of the 38 inmates in Abolongo, the facility had 328 awaiting-trial inmates and 86 convicted inmates, despite having a capacity of 160.
The Chief Judge, who was represented by Justice Ladiran Akintola, said periodic visits are carried out to correctional centres to address deserving cases, release inmates, and decongest the facilities.
He noted that the judiciary is working to make such visits quarterly to ensure that deserving inmates benefit from the exercise.
Justice Akintola said: “In line with our tradition, we come to visit the inmates in Agodi and Abolongo Custodial Centres with a view to decongesting the facilities. We come periodically, and it has been the vision of the Chief Judge to make it a quarterly affair to reduce the level of congestion.
“Deserving cases of inmates were visited. Those that we felt deserved the exercise of the discretion of the Chief Judge were recommended to be released.”
Congratulating the freed inmates, Justice Akintola cautioned them not to take the opportunity for granted.
“Don’t act like the dog that goes back to its vomit. Make up your mind that you will not go back to what brought you to the custodial facility,” he advised.
He also warned them against seeking revenge on complainants, adding: “God is giving you another chance. Don’t go back into crime in order to avoid a greater consequence.”
He informed the released inmates at the Agodi Custodial Centre that the Chief Judge had provided a token to assist them in returning to their homes and families.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyo State, Mr Ibrahim Lawal, said lawyers were present at the facilities to assess the condition of inmates and prevent abuse of power and unnecessary congestion.
“As NBA, we are in alignment with the judiciary to decongest the custodial facility. However, while decongesting, we take into account society so that those who may constitute a threat are not released. We balance the exercise with societal values,” Mr Lawal said.
He appealed that suspects granted bail should be released immediately by the correctional centre once the release warrant has been signed and bail conditions met, noting that any delay would amount to disobedience of a court order.
In a vote of thanks, the Controller of Corrections, Oyo State Command, represented by Deputy Controller Mosunmola B’Olorunduro, appreciated the efforts and support of the Chief Judge and the state judiciary in ensuring the success of the exercise.
“What we witnessed today is a result of the synergy between the Oyo State Judiciary and the Nigeria Correctional Service in the sustainable dispensation of justice.
“A total of 40 inmates have been released out of 957 awaiting-trial inmates. This will positively impact the level of congestion in the Agodi Custodial Centre, creating room for improved rehabilitation, reformation, and reintegration,” the Controller said.
He urged the released inmates to maintain good behaviour and avoid actions that could return them to custody.
The Officer-in-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abolongo, Oyo, David Olabode Akadiri, also appreciated the Chief Judge and the judiciary for facilitating the release of the 38 inmates.
He advised the inmates not to misuse the opportunity, describing it as a rare chance they might not have again, and urged them to stay away from crime.
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