An Ibadan-based lawyer, Dr. Olutayo Oyewàle, has petitioned the Controller General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) over alleged compromise and perversion of justice by staffers of the Ilesa Custodial Centre, Osun State.
Oyawale, counsel to Dr Olagunsoye Ajibola and Mrs Daramola Oyindamola, in a petition dated September 9, 2024, alleged the said staff of NCS, Osun staff, of trying to circumvent the law.
The petitioners thereby requested proper sanctioning of the affected officers to be eventually found guilty of the offence.
It was stated that Magistrate Dr Olusegun Ayilara of Court 1, Osogbo, had in a suit number MOS/200c/2024 between the Commissioner of Police and Samson Adediji and Adeoti Adebise Awanat granted bail to the latter.
They were arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money amounting to N25m (Twenty-Five Million Naira Only) under false pretence. They were granted bail the same day.
Counsel to the two defendants, according to the petitioner, was however unable to perfect the bail conditions, and so they were ordered remanded in the correctional centre pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions granted.
However, it was stated in the petition that rather than meeting the bail condition, the NCS, Osun State, has allegedly written a letter to the court seeking an unconditional release of the defendant.
It was stated on the 16th of August, 2024, when the matter was meant to come up for continuation of hearing, the 2nd defendant feigned sickness in the dock, and without any court order, the 2nd defendant was taken away in a private car by her husband to an unknown destination and was not returned to the correctional facility.
The statement read in part, “We are not oblivious to the fact that a defendant who needs medical attention should be accorded the same, being his right as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended).
“However, such rights should not be exercised at large. Surprisingly, the court was also kept in the dark as regards the arrangement made between the Correctional Centre and the 2nd Defendant, as the 2nd Defendant, whose liberty is still under restraints, has been let loose by men of the Correctional Centre, Osun Command, without a valid Court order to that effect.
“On the 2nd of September, 2024, when the matter came up for hearing, the 2nd defendant was not present in court, but a letter was written to the magistrate from the correctional centre stating that the 2nd defendant had given birth and was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.”
The ‘Annexure A’ letter signed by A.A.Alade, Chief Superintendent of Corrections, Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ilesa, Osun State, dated 29th August, 2024, was read in the open court by the magistrate, Dr Olusegun Ayilara. Captioned: “NOTIFICATION OF BABY DELIVERY OF ADEOTI ADEBISI AWANAT” CHARGE NO: MOS/200c/2024, the letter read thus:
“I am directed to inform you that the above-named inmate in Ilesa Custodial Centre had been delivered a baby on 29th August, 2024. She is currently at the hospital receiving treatment after the Caesarian session. This is for your information, sir.”
The lawyer therefore told the CG that “the pertinent question comes to the mind of our clients, thus: what happens if the 2nd Defendant decides to run away? Who takes the blame and the responsibility?
We request a discreet investigation into the activities of your men at Osun State Command and all unholy connivance be sanctioned with appropriate discipline.”
The petitioners also faulted the media publication on the defendant being delivered of a baby in prison, describing the said report as misleading.
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