Decongestion: Lagos CJ Frees Four Badagry Prison Inmates

The Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke on
Thursday freed four inmates of the Badagry Prisons, Lagos in line
with efforts to decongest prisons in the State.

Although, the number of inmates that were expected to regain
freedom was nine, five others were returned to face formal
constitutional charges due to the gravity of their offences.

The names of those released were Sharafadeen Sheu, Israel
Emmanuel, Samodu Rasak and Tunde Ojo. Oke released the inmates who
were awaiting trial during her visit to the prison facilities on
Thursday.

The released inmates were boys between the ages of 17 and 19
years.

In her speech, Oke admonished the pardoned inmates to “go and
sin no more”, adding that all the Judges including herself are
praying for them to have good job so that they would not be
arrested because of wandering and joblessness.

She said the gesture was aimed at reducing congestion at the
prisons and release some inmates who had been awaiting trial for
many years.

“I don’t know why having no work has turned to criminal
offence”, she queried.

Oke maintained that the reason why the five others were returned
to prison was to allow them face the constitutional consequences of
the offences committed and further serve as deterrent to
others.

She said the judiciary would complement the Lagos State
Government to ameliorate the plight of inmates in all the prisons
just as she commended the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode,
particularly on the commissioning of the new Magistrate court in
Badagry, which according to her would further aid quick
dispensation of justice in the state.

Earlier in his address, the Deputy Controller, Badagry Prison,
DCP Esan Patrick, commended the CJ for the visit and also for
bringing hope to the hopeless by releasing those awaiting trials,
praying that God would reward her and her team.

The Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke on
Thursday freed four inmates of the Badagry Prisons, Lagos in line
with efforts to decongest prisons in the State.

Although, the number of inmates that were expected to regain
freedom was nine, five others were returned to face formal
constitutional charges due to the gravity of their offences.

The names of those released were Sharafadeen Sheu, Israel
Emmanuel, Samodu Rasak and Tunde Ojo. Oke released the inmates who
were awaiting trial during her visit to the prison facilities on
Thursday.

The released inmates were boys between the ages of 17 and 19
years.

In her speech, Oke admonished the pardoned inmates to “go and
sin no more”, adding that all the Judges including herself are
praying for them to have good job so that they would not be
arrested because of wandering and joblessness.

She said the gesture was aimed at reducing congestion at the
prisons and release some inmates who had been awaiting trial for
many years.

“I don’t know why having no work has turned to criminal
offence”, she queried.

Oke maintained that the reason why the five others were returned
to prison was to allow them face the constitutional consequences of
the offences committed and further serve as deterrent to
others.

She said the judiciary would complement the Lagos State
Government to ameliorate the plight of inmates in all the prisons
just as she commended the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode,
particularly on the commissioning of the new Magistrate court in
Badagry, which according to her would further aid quick
dispensation of justice in the state.

Earlier in his address, the Deputy Controller, Badagry Prison,
DCP Esan Patrick, commended the CJ for the visit and also for
bringing hope to the hopeless by releasing those awaiting trials,
praying that God would reward her and her team.