The Ondo State Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, has granted amnesty to 12 inmates standing trial for various offences at the Security Custodial Centre in Owo.
Odusola, who ordered the release of the inmates during a routine visit to the Owo facility, said the gesture was part of efforts to decongest the correctional center across the state.
It will be recalled that the Chief Judge last week also pardoned eight inmates in Ondo and Okitipupa Custodial Centres, making a total of 20 inmates released in the state.
The inmates were released unconditionally due to lack of diligent prosecution on the part of the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Ondo State Ministry of Justice, The Hope Metro reports.
Those also pardoned include a 35-year-old man, Godwin Stephen, who had been standing trial for three years and three months over burglary and stealing; Olajide Oluwaniyi, 35, standing trial for cultism for over two years; Ajayi Shittu, 37, for stealing, and Olorunduyilami Abayomi, 23, standing trial for attempt to kill.
Other inmates released include 51-year-old Eze Friday, also on trial for almost four years for defilement; Moses Odey, 23, standing trial over cultism; a 42-year-old hunter, Ismaila Ojo, facing a murder charge; Friday Emmanuel, 29, standing trial for unlawful carnal knowledge; Seun Ologunagba, Peter John, Lohman Dakati, 23, and Shuaibu Wisdom, 29, all charged for stealing.
The CJ said the inmates were released as part of efforts to decongest prisons, noting that some inmates had been in custody for many years without trials, while some were detained unlawfully for a long period over lack of diligent prosecution either from the court or the DPP.
Odusola said the visit is to review some cases of human rights abuse and also to inspect the general condition of the centres.
He lamented over the state of some of the correctional centres across the state, especially the Okitipupa Centre, while he called on the authority of the centre to take the necessary steps to ensure the rehabilitation of the centres.
The Chief Judge, therefore, implored the released inmates to turn over a new leaf and as well keep away from all the appearances of crime that could lead them back to the centre.
In his remark, the State Comptroller of Corrections, Mr. Jude Agboje, appreciated the Chief Judge and his team for taking his time to address critical issues of custodial congestion.
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