COVID-19: Osun Grants Amnesty to 26 Prison Inmates

COVID-19: Osun Grants Amnesty to 26 Prison Inmates

The Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Ojo, has freed twenty six (26) awaiting trial inmates from Ilesa and Ile-Ife Medium Security Custodial Centres. Fourteen (14) of the inmates were released from Ile-Ife and twelve (12) from Ilesa.

Freedom for these inmates, came on the heels of the concerted efforts being put in place by the Federal and State governments to decongest Custodial Centres in curbing the spread of deadly novel coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19)

They were released during the Chief Judge’s special visit to the Custodial Centres which started from Ilesa Custodial Centre on Wednesday, 27th of May, and ended at Ile-Ife Custodial Centre, on Thursday, 28th May, 2020.

In his welcome address, the Controller of Corrections Osun State Command, Segun Oluwasemire, appreciated the CJ and her team for the special visit to the facilities in finding time out of their busy schedules even at this dreaded period of Covid-19.

He assured the gathering of his unwavering resolve and that of his officers and men, not to falter in the discharge of the NCoS’ mandates of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration. Not leaving out the newly added mandate of non-custodial measures.

The Controller later charged the released inmates to be of good behaviour and put to good use all vocational trainings and knowledge acquired while in custody. He urged them to be the best in their future endeavours. “Be good examples in the larger society.” He also encouraged them to contribute their quotas positively to end the Covid-19 pandemic.

In separate remarks, officers in charge of Ilesa and Ile-Ife Custodial Centres, Johnbull Saudje and Babatunde Ajani, respectively, who are Deputy Controllers of Corrections(DCC). Pleaded with the Chief Judge, to make the visit, a quarterly exercise. As the benefits derived from it administratively, cannot be overemphasised.

Highlights of the visit were: Holding of special court sessions specifically for the delivery of judgements on pending cases before some judges of the state high Court. The presentation of portrait of the Chief Judge, painted by an inmate of Ilesa Custodial Centre to the CJ by the Controller of Corrections.

The dignitaries at the visits were the Osun state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Femi Akande, the officials of the Directorate of Public Prosecution(DPP) and Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN). Members of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ilesa, Ife and Iwo branches.

Signed
DSC Olusola Adeotan
Command Public Relations Officer
Nigerian Correctional Service
Osun State Command