By Ayodele Popoola

As part of the ongoing measures to decongest custodial centres across the state, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, has pardoned 16 more awaiting trial inmates.

Odusola ordered the release during the concluding lap of the routine visit to custodial centres in the state on Wednesday at the Medium Custodial Centre in Owo.

The Hope Metro recalls that 57 inmates had earlier been released this month during the CJ’s previous visit to facilities in Akure, Ondo, and Okitipupa, bringing the number of inmates released in the state to 73.

Justice Odusola reiterated that the visit was part of the judiciary’s duties to make decisions, including looking into the cases of some inmates who have stayed longer than the required period and some on humanitarian grounds.

“Some inmates were released on compassionate grounds, some due to sickness, while some regained freedom because they had overstayed; others on humanitarian grounds,” he said.

Odusola said he would be considering those who were seriously sick and those who deserved to be released.

The CJ implored magistrates to stop giving stringent bail conditions for minor offences so that the facilities would remain decongested.

He urged the released inmates to turn over a new leaf.

Those who were pardoned include four men: Dada Alabi, 37; Liberty Onimisi, 30; Suberu Haruna, 24; and Abdulahi Sheu, 27, who had been standing trial for almost six years for alleged armed robbery and murder.

They were released unconditionally for lack of diligent prosecution.

Other inmates released were Tope Agede, 29, who had been in custody for two years and eight months over alleged unlawful carnal knowledge; Jimoh Fatai, 22, standing trial for alleged rape for three years; Godwin Billy, charged with robbery; and Michael Folayemi, 20, charged with fraud.

Also pardoned were Abdullahi Sulieman, 54; Patrick Omowa, 33; Victor Samuel, 41; Peter Moses, 28; Williams Obozokha, 25; Desmond Terzungwa, 54; and Raji Adekunle, 33, all charged with various offences of conspiracy, stealing, breaking, and conversion.

Earlier in his address, the State Comptroller of Corrections, Jude Agboje, commended the CJ’s unwavering support and the consistent attention he had given to the command.

He sought government support for the full implementation of non-custodial measures, particularly community service sentences for minor offenders, saying the Act would not only alleviate the burden on the facilities but ensure the safety of society at large.