Emmanuel Thomas l Tuesday, May, 09, 2017
KIRIKIRI, Lagos, Nigeria -The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade today set free 66 inmates awaiting trial at the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison as part of the effort to decongest the prisons.
All those granted freedom were those held in prison for non-capital offences and have been in custody for upwards of nine months. They were all released under the powers conferred on the Chief Judge under section 1(1) Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provisions Act Cap 40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007.
Justice Atilade who was billed to free only 35 inmates, later increase the number to 66 after prison officials prevailed on her to consider 31 other inmates picked from under bridges and streets of Lagos in order to decongest the heavily populated prison.
Over 100 request for amnesty was received by the amnesty committee headed by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye out of which only 35 were approved.
Admonishing the freed inmates to go and sin no more, Justice Atilade said that the only way to reciprocate the gesture is for them to henceforth live a good life and be of good conduct. You are hereby released from this prison today May 9, 2017. Go and sin no more,” She said.
Justice Atilade stated that the objective of the exercise is not only to decongest the prison but also to ensure that the freed inmates are truly reformed and can contribute meaningfully to the society.
“ The impact of this exercise can only be felt when you the beneficiaries of this amnesty gesture show that you are truly reformed. I wish you the very best and you should see this as an opportunity to start afresh,” she said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Comptroller of Prison, Mr Yomi Oluwaniyi decried the deplorable state of prison saying that the facility is in dire need of new structures and vehicles.
” You may wish to know that the resources and facilities of this prisons is seriously over stretched. We are doing everything possible to manage the challenge. This is why we are appealing to your lordship to use your influence to prevail on the Lagos State Government to build two more structures for us here.
” We also need about two Black Maria to help us with the challenging of transporting inmates to various court where their matters are been handled,” he said. The prison which was built to accommodate 1,700 inmates presently has 3326 inmates. While 537 are convicts, 2789 are awaiting trial.
