The Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, on Tuesday released 40 inmates from Agodi Correctional Centre in Ibadan as part of an exercise to decongest the facility.

Represented by Justice Ladiran Akintola,  the chief judge said that the resolve to decongest the correctional centre had necessitated the quarterly visits.

“Much as we tried in the first quarter of the year, because of conflicting and judicial responsibilities, we were unable to visit then. That is why we came early this month to visit the correctional facility with a view to reducing the level of congestion

” Deserving cases of inmates were visited, and those we felt deserved the exercise of the discretion of the chief judge were recommended to be released.  Forty inmates were recommended to be released,” she said.

The chief judge advised the released inmates to be of good behaviour, shun crime, turn a new leaf, and ensure they did not return to the correctional facility for any reason after their release.

She thereafter gave the released inmates a token as transport fare to their respective homes.

Among those released were inmates with health challenges, those awaiting trial for bailable offences and others who have been in custody for over four years.

An executive of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ibadan branch, Mr Ibrahim Lawal, commended the chief judge for the visitation and exercise of her discretionary powers.

“It’s important for the NBA and Judiciary to come here and look at the state of inmates at Agodi Correctional facility It’s an exercise to be done often to prevent abuse of power and unnecessary congestion,

“Those with communicable diseases are released to prevent it from spreading to other inmates and prevent a pandemic within the facility,”  he said.

Mr Lawal decried the practice of some prison officials who fail to release inmates after the courts have issued warrants of release to them.

He said that the NBA had resolved to challenge this practice in court. 

(NAN)