Oyo Chief Judge orders release of 77 inmates

By Adejayan Gbenga –

The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, has granted freedom to 77 inmates of the Abolongo Correctional Facility in Oyo town.

Justice Yerima, who was represented by Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, ordered their release during a visit to the facility on Tuesday.

The freed inmates had been awaiting trial for various offences, including some capital offences. Their cases were reviewed before the release orders were granted.

Some of the inmates were released on compassionate grounds due to serious health issues, including tuberculosis and kidney-related ailments.

Justice Yerima noted that the correctional facility was overstretched, which necessitated the decongestion exercise.

She congratulated the freed inmates and urged them to turn a new leaf and avoid returning to crime.

The Comptroller of Corrections in Oyo State, Dare Opadeji, expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as long-awaited by the inmates.

Opadeji also appealed to the Chief Judge to make such visits more frequent, suggesting that they be held monthly or quarterly to aid decongestion efforts.