The Kwara State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, have granted freedom to three inmates following a visit to the Old Ilorin and New Custodial Centres at Oke-Kura and Mandala, respectively, on Tuesday.
Justice Adebara, accompanied by Hon. Justice Ibijoke Olawoyin, the State High Court Registrar Mrs. Kudirat Yahaya, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice sector, acknowledged the overcrowding in the state’s facilities.
The Chief Judge said that, “It falls within my constitutional duty to perform jail delivery, which enables me to review cases that have dragged on, involve minor offences, or inmates suffering from terminal illnesses”.
During the visit, the Chief Judge reviewed several cases and subsequently ordered the release of three inmates.
He also emphasized that such visits would become a regular practice to address the overcrowding issue.
Addressing the released inmates, Justice Adebara urged them to avoid crime and reintegrate into society positively.
The State Controller of Corrections, Danmairomu Shuaib Ayodeji, who represented the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa, praised the Chief Judge for his intervention and advised the freed inmates to “comply with societal norms and stay away from criminal activities”.
