By Peter Moses
Abeokuta
The Chief Judge of Ogun state, Justice Olatokunbo Olapade, yesterday, freed 69 inmates as part of moves to decongest prisons in the state.
Olopade, who visited Oba and Ibara prisons both in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, explained that the development followed an order given to the Chief Judges across the nation by the Anthony General of Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) on prison decongestion.
Besides, the CJ had on Tuesday released 13 inmates during a similar visit to Ilaro prison, in Yewa South local area of the state.
Some of the inmates were awaiting trial while others were already serving jail terms for murder, rape, theft, armed robbery among other crimes.
Olopade, who was accompanied by top members of the state judiciary and members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), told the lucky inmates to turn a new leave.
While expressing concern over high number of inmates awaiting trial in prisons, Olopade urged magistrates to always grant bail to suspects without much stringent conditions.
