The Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo, has ordered the release of 32 awaiting trial inmates from the two prison formations in Ilesha and Ile Ife.
The inmates were released during the Chief Judge and Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice’s jail delivery at Ilesha and Ile-Ife prisons.
Three other inmates were also granted bail, with various conditions attached.
The Chief Judge pardoned 22 inmates and granted bail to three others at the Ilesa Prison, while 10 inmates were released at Ile-Ife Medium Security Prison.
Earlier, while welcoming the Chief Judge and her team, the Controller of Prisons, Osun State Command, Mr Segun Oluwasemire, commended Justice Ojo, members of his panel, Directorate of Public Prosecution and Legal Aid Council for the efforts to decongest prisons in the state.
The controller pleaded with the chief judge to release as many as 50 inmates from prisons in the state.
Justice Ojo said the visit was organised to mark the commencement of the 2018/2019 Legal Year of High Court of Justice of Osun State.
A statement signed by Olusola Adeotan, the Public Relations Officer, of the state’s Prison Command, said the CJ was statutorily empowered by Criminal Justice (Release from custody) (Special Prison) Act, CAP 40 Section 1(I)(a) & (b), to carry out the release.
Justice Ojo also assured of the commitment of the administration of Governor Gboyega Oyetola, the state House of Assembly and Osun State High Court to decongest prisons in the state.
She enjoined the inmates to put to positive use the skills acquired while in prison when they regained freedom.
