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.