Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has ordered the immediate release of two hundred and forty nine inmates from five Correctional centers across the state.
The Chief Judge in a statement made available in Abeokuta said the release of the inmates was based on the Federal government’s decision to decongest Correctional centers to contain the spread of Covid-19.
Justice Dipeolu disclosed that those released were men and women with minor cases of stealing, burglary, assault among others.
She explained that forty eight inmates were freed in Ijebu-Ode, forty one in Sagamu, seven in Ago Iwoye farm settlement, fifty four were released in Ibara, thirty two in New Oba Prison, while sixty seven inmates were released at Ilaro Correctional centers.
The Chief Judge hinted that the decongestion would improve social distancing measures which would reduce the spread of the virus at the Correctional centers.
She advised the released inmates to go back to the society and be useful for the entire nation and refrain from criminal acts.
Justice Dipeolu added that those being considered where those having little years to complete their jail terms, old ages, those that have not meet up with fines, those that have spent 50 percent of their jail terms and those on medical related matters.
She further explained that some inmates awaiting trial, ought not to remain in custody, where matters for which they were charged for was not murder or armed robbery were also considered.
Justice Dipeolu said that cases discovered that the prosecution were moving at slow pace or not heard at all, were also pardoned.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, in a reaction, hinted that the federal government’s directive to decongest the centers, led to granting the unconditional pardon and clemency to the convicts serving various terms in the Correctional centers across the state.
He said, the governor approved the exercise in line with federal government’s directive to decongest the prisons, following the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus disease, currently ravaging the entire world.
