By Sade Adewale, Ondo

The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, has pardoned eight inmates and granted bail to one inmate at the Segede Medium Security Custodial Centre, in Ondo City.

Odusola pardoned them during the prison visit to the centre where he said the visit was to see the condition of the correctional centre and the health challenges of inmates.

The Chief Judge further said the need to decongest prisons made it imperative to release some inmates who had been in custody for many years without trial, those who were seriously sick, and detained for a long time, and those who deserved to be released.

He said the facility at the centre is in a deplorable state while calling on the Federal Government to take the bull by the horns and ensure that the centre is put in a better condition.

According to him, “the inmates released are those who committed minor offenses such as Arson, assault, stealing, threat to kill and breach of peace, conspiracy among others,” he added.

However, during the visit, 217 inmates were presented with their court trial, duration in the custodial centre, and their health conditions. Money was donated for some inmates who are on drugs to buy more for them.

The inmate are: Igwe Paul, 27, who has been standing trial for 2 years, 9 months, 19 days, Tunde Wale, 29, 1 year, 2 months, 13 days, Abdulahi Mohammed, 67, is 3 months and 26 days, Moses Sandagyang, 22, is 16 days, Oche Clement, 17, is 6 days, Emmanuel John, 15, is 6, days and Courage Aniedi, 17, five days were released unconditionally.

While Alabi Ojo who was charged for armed robbery was released on bail based on his health condition with a bail condition of N500,000 and 1 surety in like sum.

He encouraged released inmates to stay away from trouble that can bring them back to prison, saying they may not see this kind of favor again if they committed another offense.

Also speaking, the State Controller of the correctional centre, Ondo State Command, Mr Jude Agboje thanked the Chief Judge for decongesting the prison because of the living conditions of the inmates awaiting trials.