The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade on
Wednesday freed 21 inmates of the Kirikiri Medium Prisons, Lagos,
western Nigeria.
The release was in exercise of the powers
conferred on her under Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release
from Custody Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007.
Most of
the inmates released were those who have spent more time than they would
have if convicted of the crimes for which they are facing trial.
Admonishing the lucky inmates, Justice Atilade urged them to keep away from crime and henceforth be of good behaviour.
She
retated her commitment to an effective justice system delivery where
the courts work efficiently and the prisons are not congested.
Atilade said her visit to the prison to release inmates would be a continuous exercise.
“Those
of you released should henceforth be of good behaviour. The state
government is committed to a crime free Lagos and anyone found
committing crime will be arrested and prosecuted,” she said.
The
CJ also appealed to non-governmental organisations and other
stakeholders working with the prisons authority to ensure that those
released are properly re-integrated into the society.
There are
2452 inmates currently in the prison. Out of these, 92 have been
convicted, 2349 are awaiting trial, 32 are detainees, while 21 are
lodgers. The prison has a 1700 capacity.
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