An 81- year old man is among 57 inmates the Ondo State Government just released unconditionally from prisons across the state.
Their release was sequel to joint visits of the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney- General, Mr Kayode Ajulo , SAN, and the state Chief Judge, Justice Ayedun Odusola and other stakeholders to correctional facilities in the state.
During the visits, the team reviewed cases of inmates on awaiting trial and granted 57 of them freedom.
Accordingly, 15 inmates were released in Akure; 18 in the Ondo male facility; six at the Ondo female facility, and 18 at Okitipupa, unconditionally.
Among those pardoned in Olokuta Custodial Centre included an 81-year-old man, Isiaka Momodu, who had been standing trial for two years and three months over an alleged unlawful carnal knowledge of a female.
Speaking, Justice Odusola explained the significance of the visit, saying it was a precedent and first of its kind in the history of Ondo State.
Others who regained their freedom are the duo of Odeh Friday, 35 and Peter Ufomadu, 30, awaiting trial for alleged robbery and conspiracy for more than five years; Ismaila Abdulrasaq, 36, standing trial for three years was released for lack of witnesses and Emmanuel Ianna, 32 standing trial for two years over conspiracy.
Also pardoned are 65-year-old Prophet Taiwo Komolafe, Dele James, 38; Danladil Kuku, Peter Sunday, Emmanuel Isaac, Ayomide Oladeji, Wale Olaolu, Ola Ojo, Joseph Amos, 45; and a teenager, Essan Doland, all charged for stealing.
In Ondo, 57-year-old Ayo Odunsi and Sola Ayemibo who were standing trial for alleged murder were pardoned based on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), while Training Ebegbe and Okutu Elokumo, 32 charged with kidnapping were released unconditionally on critical health ground.
At the female custodian centre in Ondo, those released were a 29-year-old nursing mother, Grace Akinsanmi charged with stealing and was released on humanitarian ground, Yusuf Sherif, 39, who was standing trial for concealing the death of a newborn baby for two years while Opeyemi Oguntimoju, 32; Olasunkanmi Kolawole, Joy Anthony and Bukola Oyatunde who were charged for stealing were similarly pardoned.
Others released were Adams Isiaka, 33; standing trial for unlawful possession of firearms, Edet Ezekiel, 25; charged for breach of peace, Samuel Kastin, Gbenga Dadeni, 44; Mukaila Yisa, 28; Tunde Ibrahim, 41, Philip Samuel, 28; Samson Paul, 25; Joseph Okon, 25; Emmanuel Okuti, 34; Emmanuel Peter,22; John Fanen, 34; Biliaminu Muhammed, 42 all charged for stealing.
In Okitipupa, a 63-year-old Muhammad Basiru charged with kidnapping was pardoned on health ground, while Sunday Miracle, 20; Segun Adeniran, 30; James Anthony, 23; Goodness Sunday, Ibrahim Isaiaka, Adeluwoye Imoleyin, 21, Eze Emmanuel and other 10 inmates standing trial for stealing were released unconditionally.
According to the state government, the act highlights Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring fair treatment within the correctional system.
The pardon not only offers a second chance but also reflects the government’s dedication to upholding the principles of justice and fairness, the government added.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
