The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, on Monday said that a new batch of inmates awaiting trial would be released before the end of June. Phillips said this when she led members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, on a visit to the Ikoyi Prison, Lagos. The visit was part of the activities marking the 2013 Law Week of the branch.
The Chief Judge, represented by Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Ogundare, said she was already working on a list of inmates, who were recommended for release. "I am assuring you that before the end of this quarter, I will visit you and release those that are qualified to be released," Phillips said.
Also speaking to the inmates, Mr Onyekachi Ubani, the branch chairman, said the purpose of the visit was to offer free legal services to inmates, who could not afford legal representation. Ubani said the NBA was concerned about the large number of inmates awaiting trial. "The Ikeja branch is concerned about you. We are trying to make sure your matter is decided in the court, instead of being on awaiting trial for a long time.
"We will render legal services free to those that need it, but cannot afford a lawyer. Your rights must be protected," he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Deputy Comptroller, Ikoyi Prison, DCP Emmanuel Bamidele, said over 500 inmates had been trained in various vocational skills. Bamidele said the inmates were trained in skills such as shoe-making, soap and insecticide making, and in the handling of computers, to make them useful to themselves and the society.
NAN reports that Phillips had on April 30 released 94 inmates from the Kirikiri Medium and Female Prisons, Apapa.
http://leadership.ng/news/200513/chief-judge-release-more-inmates-awaiting-trial-lagos
No comments:
Post a Comment