Jubilation as Lagos CJ Frees 153 Inmates from Kirikiri Prison

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, on Wednesday released 153 awaiting trial inmates from the Kirikiri Maximum and Medium prisons. Three of the freed inmates had been standing trial for over 15 years.

Among the pardoned inmates were 79 person who were being tried for capital offences.

Justice Atilade said the amnesty granted the inmates was in line with her statutory duty to ensure that the prisons were not congested.

“I advise the pardoned inmates to make the best of this amnesty by not returning to criminal activities.”

The chief judge solicited the support of relevant stakeholders in the justice system in the effort to decongest the prisons.

Atilade was accompanied on the visit by senior judges from the state high court, officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, some non-governmental organisations and representatives of the police.

In his remark, the Deputy Controller in charge of the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Seye Oduntan, thanked the CJ for the amnesty to those she considered deserving of such kind gesture.

He said there are still many inmates who deserved pardon, and urged the chief judge to ensure the continuity of the exercise.