EHIME ALEX, Lagos
As a measure to contain spread of the coronavirus, Ogun State Government has ordered the immediate release of 249 prisoners from five Correctional Centres across the State.
In a report on Monday, the order was given by the State’s Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu.
Justice Dipeolu who spoke during a visit to various correctional centers in the state, explained that the release of the inmates was based on the federal government’s decision to decongest the Centres, as a means to contain the spread of Covid-19.
She mentioned that those released were men and women with cases ranging from stealing, burglary, assault to bodily harm and other minor cases.
She noted that the decongestion would improve social distancing measures, thereby reducing spread of the virus at the Correctional Centres.
Justice Dipeolu, while stressing on the imperative of the release as a means to prevent inmates contacting Covid-19, stated further that those considered where inmates having little years to complete their jail terms, those suffering old age, those that have not meet up with fines, as well as those that have spent half of the years of their jail terms and on medical related matters.
Also considered were inmates awaiting trial, who ought not to have been detained in custody, and those charged with cases were murder or armed robbery were not involved.
Justice Dipeolu likewise pardoned cases discovered to have been moving at slow pace or not heard at all for one reason or the other.
She detailed that 48 inmates were freed in Ijebu-Ode, 41 in Sagamu, 7 in Ago farm settlement, near Ijebu-Ode, 54 in Ibara, 32 in New Oba Prison, and 67 at Ilaro Correctional Centres respectively.
However, she urged the released inmates to go back to the society, refrain from sinful acts and be useful for the nation.
Addressing Journalists, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Akingbolahan Adeniran, noted that the federal government had so far released 2,600 inmates in various prisons across the country to curb the spread of coronavirus.
He added that in line with the federal government’s directive, the State Governor in his determination to decongest the Centres, has granted unconditional pardon and clemency to 249 convicts serving various terms in the Correctional Centres across the state.
He said, “the Governor did this in line with federal government’s directive to decongest the prisons, following the outbreak of the deadly Coronavirus disease, which currently ravaging the entire world, so that it won’t escalate in the country”.
Adeniran maintained that the idea of social distancing, which was being canvassed in the country, as well as in the state may not be attained if the Correctional Centres were not decongested.
“The social distancing will not be attained because of the way the inmates are arranged at these Correctional Centres, and I urged that the convicts so pardoned be accepted by their relatives, villages and families”, Adeniran said.