By Sade Adewale, Jimoh Ahmed & Kayode Olabanji

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The continued strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, is now having its attendant effects on Police cells across Ondo State as the facilities have been overcongested with suspects, investigations by The Hope can authoritatively reveal.
Investigations across the state showed that most of the cells with capacity of five to eight inmates, are now having 10 to 15 as the facilities are few to keep suspects.
A competent police source in Ikare Akoko lamented that the cells congestion have become a nightmare for all stations.
According to him, apart from the congestion, feeding of suspects is also a problem, saying most of the time, top officers had to use their personal money to feed them.
He, however disclosed that the force had to use its discretion sometimes to give bail to some of the suspects.
Our correspondent who visited the correctional centre in Owo, observed that the centre is facing the problem of congestion.
According to a source at the centre, some suspects who ordinarily should have been granted bail are still languishing iñ their facilities, which he said is not even enough to handle the number of suspects in their custody at present.
Reports from Okitipupa, the headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government area of Ondo State, also confirmed congestion in the police cells due to the increase in the number of suspects who were supposed to be arraigned in court, but were unable to go for trial or get bail due to the industrial action.
It will be recalled that the police station in Okitipupa has been destroyed by the protesters during the #EndSARS protest.
The Hope gathered that the suspects were being taking to other police cells in nearby local government councils in Irele LG, Ese- Odo, among others.
A police officer who spoke under the condition of anonymity, revealed that most of the suspects were being taken to Akure, especially those suspected to have committed grievous offences.
He said that had been the usual practice before JUSUN commenced the strike action, noting that they no longer have facilities to keep suspects.
Meanwhile, all efforts to speak with the Head of the prison facility in Okitipupa proved abortive as he was indisposed at the time of filing this report.
Further reports from Ondo Police Divisions said the police have been effecting less arrests, except where it is compulsory to avoid congestion of the available cells.
A policeman who does not want his name in print, said there has been slow down of prosecution of suspects.
According to him, “We are coping very well with the suspects in detention because they are not in excess. We arrest normally without any rancour whatsoever. We do grant those without grievous offenses administrative bail provided we are sure of the reliability and credibility of the surety,” he added.
Speaking with one of the suspects’ relative, Mrs Doyin Omolayo, she lamented that the strike has kept her brother in prison for so long as it prevented him from going to court for justice.
Omolayo, therefore prayed that JUSUN calls off the strike soon, to allow them access justice.