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ONDO CJ OLUSEGUN ODUSOLA FREES 14 AWAITING-TRIAL INMATES
In a renewed effort to decongest correctional facilities across Ondo State, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olusegun Odusola, has granted amnesty to 14 awaiting-trial inmates at the Security Custodial Centre in Owo.
Justice Odusola ordered their release during a routine quarterly visit to custodial centres across the state, explaining that the exercise formed part of ongoing efforts to decongest correctional facilities and safeguard the fundamental human rights of inmates.
The Chief Judge noted that several of the inmates had spent years in custody without trial due to a lack of diligent prosecution, particularly delays attributable to the courts and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Others were released on health and compassionate grounds.
According to him, the quarterly visits are aimed at identifying cases of human rights violations and undue delays in the administration of justice.
“Those released had spent several years in custody without trial as a result of prosecutorial negligence, while some were granted freedom on compassionate and health grounds,” the Chief Judge stated.
Justice Odusola warned the freed inmates to remain law-abiding and serve as good ambassadors of the state, stressing that anyone who returned to criminal activities would face the full weight of the law.
The Chief Judge commended stakeholders who participated in the exercise, including the Legal Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Ondo State Command, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, lawyers from the private and public bar, court registrars, and other officials for their cooperation.
Among those released were 32-year old Emmanuel Monday, who had been awaiting trial for armed robbery for over six years; 37-year old Sina Ehinmetan, who had been awaiting trial for armed robbery for more than five years; 39-year old Friday Moses, who had spent over four years in custody for alleged unlawful carnal knowledge; 34-year-old Ariyo Bankole, who had spent more than nine months in custody for alleged stealing; and 28-year-old Olaoluwa Omolayo, who had spent over one year in custody for alleged kidnapping.
Others released included 22-year-old Suberu Abdullahi, who had been awaiting trial for cultism for over one year; 32-year-old Jide Bamisile, who had been awaiting trial for conspiracy, breaking and stealing; 24-year-old Leke Ojo, who had spent over seven months in custody for alleged breaking; 24-year-old Abdullahi Abubakar, who had been awaiting trial for conspiracy and kidnapping for over one year; 34-year old Adeniyi Adeleke, who had spent over four years in custody for alleged unlawful carnal knowledge; 34-year-old Ojo Adewumi, who had spent more than four years in custody for alleged arson; 28-year-old Nasir Usman, who had been awaiting trial for alleged stealing; and the duo of Akinmade Friday, 25, and Afolabi Oluwaseyi, who were released on health grounds.
Speaking during the visit, the Comptroller of Corrections in Ondo State, C. A. Oyewole, described the Chief Judge’s intervention as timely and impactful, noting that it would ease the burden on many inmates.
He disclosed that the facility was severely overcrowded, currently housing 304 inmates against an official capacity of 179.
Oyewole appealed to relevant authorities to make greater use of non-custodial measures.
“At this point, making use of non-custodial measures will significantly help reduce the inmate population in our correctional centres,” he stated.
He further praised the synergy between the judiciary and the Nigerian Correctional Service, assuring continued cooperation to ensure the smooth administration of criminal justice in the state.
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