Ogun Chief Judge releases 31 inmates from correctional centers
By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta
Ogun State Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has freed 31 inmates from the various Correctional Service Centers across the state.
Speaking at the Ceremonial Hall of the Judiciary Complex in Abeokuta, during the release of the inmates, Justice Dipeolu said eight inmates were pardoned in Oba and six in Ibara, Abeokuta, while six were also released from Ijebu-Ode, eight from Ilaro and three from Sagamu Correctional Centres.
The Chief Judge said those granted amnesties had been in custody for a certain number of years, adding that some were released due to poor health conditions, while others were pardoned because their case files could not be located.
She advised the inmates not to go back to their sin but engage themselves in tangible vocations.
“Usually there is Administration of Criminal Justice Committee who looks through the lists of inmates and recommend those that are worthy of release through lots of investigations,” she said.
Justice Dipeolu stated that new modalities have been initiated where pictures with full details of inmates would be taken for record purposes, pointing out that if such inmates commit other offenses after being discharged, the record would be located and the culprit would be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.
In his contribution, the Controller of Correctional Centres, Ogun State Command, Mr. AbdulRasheed Alimi, appreciated the Chief Judge for setting up the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, noting that the discharge of inmates on a quarterly basis had assisted in the decongestion of Correctional Services Centres, as well as the reformation of inmates.
Speaking on behalf of Friends of Joseph Foundation (FOJOF), a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO), Head of Advocacy Unit, Mr. Taiwo Olukoyede said some inmates pardoned in the past have been rehabilitated and doing great in the society.
