Lagos Chief Judge, Justice
Ayotunde Philips yesterday
released 233 inmates, majority of
whom were awaiting trials at
the Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos. The exercise which formed part
of the on-going new legal year
programmes was also a step to
de-congest the prisons. Most of the lucky inmates have
stayed for over 12 years. The Chief Judge, who was
accompanied by senior members
of the judiciary including judges
and the Chief Registrar, released
133 inmates from the Kirikiri
Maximum Security Prison and 103 from the Medium Security Prison. She, however, shifted forward
the attempt to release inmates
from the women prisons, also
located at Kirikiri. Apart from the on-going legal
year programme, the Chief Judge
was empowered to release the
inmates pursuant to the powers
conferred on her under Section 1
(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Act, Laws of the
Federation of Nigeria 2007. In her remark, Justice Philips said,
“ there is a saying in the legal
circle that it is better for 10
guilty persons to be free than
for one innocent person to be
incarcerated. “We have gone through the list of
those recommended for release.
So for those of you qualified to
be released, you are very lucky
that your name has come up. So,
go and sin no more.” She urged those released to turn
a new leaf and go out to
contribute their quota to the
society, adding, “I promised
during my swearing-in ceremony
that I will do my best to decongest the prisons.” Welcoming the team, the Deputy
Comptroller of Prisons of the
Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Mr. Olu
Tinuoye disclosed that it is very
unusual for chief judges of
Lagos State to visit the prisons. Also, the Medium Security Prison,
Mr. Tunde Ladipo commended the
efforts of the State government
for taking care of the prisons.
www.vanguardngr.com/2012/09/lagos-cj-frees-236-kirikiri-prisons-inmates/