From Kayemo News
Ekiti State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on Thursday frees 22 awaiting trial inmates after reviewing 543 cases, consisting of 535 male and 8 female, 18 were released unconditionally, 3 were granted bail while 1 was released based on the advice of Director of Public Prosecution for having no case to answer.
According to the Chief Judge, the exercise is in with his constitutional mandate.
Justice Ogunmoye thanked all stakeholders in the administration of justice, for their support and roles played towards the success of the exercise, adding that, his visitation to the Correctional Centre remains a continuous exercise, he promised to pay another visit to the centre before the year runs out.
In his welcome address, the Comptroller of the Correctional Centre in Ekiti, CC Alaba Ajeleti thanked the Chief Judge for carrying out his constitutional mandate out effectively and efficiently, he described the visit as great succour for the inmates, as such is another giant step aimed at decongesting the prison.
CC Ajeleti lamented that the facility has outrageously exceeded its capacity, she said, the centre was originally designed to house 324 but currently accommodating 937 inmates.
The Comptroller urged the Chief Judge and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, to liaise with appropriate authorities with the aim of providing more cells for easy identification and classification, adding that, many states across the country now have more than one custodial facility.
Mrs Ajeleti commended Ekiti State Judiciary under the watch of Justice Ogunmoye for adequately exploring non-custodial sentences for minor offences.
The released inmates are those with lesser offences.
Judges of Ekiti State Judiciary, Ekiti Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata SAN, Magistrates, Director, Legal Aid Council, Mr. Adeyinka Opaleke, Director of Public Prosecution, Officer in charge of legal matters, lawyers from private and official bars were among those who present at the visit.