iShare PageLikeFan PageHidePrivacy InfoThe Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper Breaking News, information and opinion in Nigeria 21st September, 2012 HomeCountdown to Ondo gov pollAM BusinessNews»AfricaBusiness»Capital MarketIndustryBusiness & EconomyInternational BusinessSportsOpinion»LettersMetroEntertainment»Arts & LifeE-PunchEducationJobsForumYou are here: Home / News / Lagos CJ frees 233 Kirikiri prisons inmates Lagos CJ frees 233 Kirikiri prisons inmates September 19, 2012 by Ade Adesomoju 18 Comments Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philips, on Tuesday freed 233 awaiting trial inmates in both the Maximum and Medium Kirikiri prisons, during a visit to the facilities. The visit was part of the one week-long events marking the commencement of the 2012/2013 legal year in the state. It was also her inaugural visit since she was sworn in as the 14th CJ of the state in June. One hundred and thirty awaiting trial inmates were released from Maximum Prison, while 103 were released from the Medium Prison. The inmates were said to have been remanded in custody for periods ranging from four to 13 years. Philips said the move was in line with her statutory duty and commitment towards decongestion of prisons. She said, “This visit is part of the legal year activities. This is to release those who are illegally or unjustly kept in prison. There is one popular maxim which says it is better to let 10 guilty men go free than to let one innocent one be punished. “This will no longer be restricted to legal years alone. It is something I intend to do quite regularly. At least, once in a quater or in every six months.” Before the release of the inmates, the Maximum Prison with a capacity of 1,056, was housing 763 inmates, while the Medium Prison had 2,502 inmates. About 2,378 were awaiting trial; 124 convicted; and four sentenced to life imprisonment. Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of the Maximum Prison, Olumide Tinuoye, applauded the CJ’s visit, saying though the prison was meant for inmates involved in “high profile cases”, those accused of “petty offences” were also being transferred to the facility. He said, “Many of the inmates have stayed here more than the normal time. I’m not saying they have not committed any offence. There are some who have been here for over 30 years. If somebody has spent more than 30 years in prison, what else is he doing there.” The DCP in charge of Medium Prison, Tunde Ladipo, urged the CJ to pay more of such visits “so that the prison would be totally decongested.” Read 2,512 timesMore Stories in News Jonathan unprepared to lead Nigeria – Kalu September 21st, 2012 / 311 Comments Read Full Story Ogun LGs threaten strike over unpaid salaries September 21st, 2012 / 12 Comments Read Full Story PDP gives defectors 30 days to return September 21st, 2012 / 44 Comments Read Full Story Killimanjaro/London September 19, 2012 at 4:19 am Power to release inmates from federal prisons resides in the president or Attorney general of the federation. Reply Link QuoteDARAMOLA COMFORT September 19, 2012 at 4:30 am IS DAT WHAT MATTER TO U ? I CONGRATULATE DEM ,BUT SHULD GET STH GOOD DOIN AS NOT TO BECONE PRISOBERS AGAIN. Reply Link Quotenew September 19, 2012 at 4:45 am I made some astounding discoveries that I applied to a unique system that is successfully producing financial freedom and peace for me and hundreds of people. I’d like to give these strategies to you right away so you know what to look for in a system that creates financial peace. For a full report, text a blank sms to: zero-eight-zero-nine-four-nine-one-two-one-five-one. You will be amazed by what you see which will catapult you into your promised land. Reply Link QuoteAustin udowelle September 19, 2012 at 4:54 am They are talking about prison decongestion when the proper topic should be justice. Why on earth should somebody be in detention for upward of 30years without trial and proper conviction. Oh my God. Is this happening for real ? Nigeria is worse than hell. Every body is crying out for peace but non is crying out for justice. There will never be peace, i say never, unless there is justice. Reply Link QuoteRevelation September 19, 2012 at 6:19 am Let there be justice for common. Reply Link Quotearthur September 19, 2012 at 6:20 am Thanj yot Madam CJ. But have we prepared these guys for a life outside prison? . They need some level of empowermemt to become responsible. Well, hope is free. Reply Link QuoteOlatunde September 19, 2012 at 6:22 am You missed the point. 90% of those in prison custody are awaiting trial for offences under laws of the state. As the chief judge, Justice Phillips acted within her powers to order the release of inmates who’re in custody awaiting trial for offences whose punishment/sentence upon conviction would have been served had they been tried and convicted on time. Or take the case of a defendant in prison custody for 10 years awaiting trial for assault that could have been punished with a fine or just 3 years jail sentence? So it is clear Phillips J’s action is in furtherance of the promotion of the rule of law and the need for the consent/approval of the President or HAGF is to say the least outrightly superflous. Reply Link QuoteSylva September 19, 2012 at 6:23 am Fankz dey hv bin realz’d buh Nigeria aint goin aniwhr…….4 heavns sake itz 2 bad 2 hold sm1 4 30yrs………nd wen u analize his case u find out dat he committed 2 offence or mayb sm mighty pple hz vouched dat he ll rot in prison……..my conclusion ix dat nigerian law or constitutn ix nt bin strictli adhered 2 as pple term 2 take da law in2 deir own hands nd dey ll say NOBODT IX ABOVE D LAW…………….ll advise does in charge of offices 2 criticalli xamine deir conscience properli b4 dey dive in2 constitutn cuz i noe dat most of dem r meant 2 be imprisoned or 1 way or da oda r involved in such dreaded activities………..FELLOw Nigerians plz strive 4 a CHANGE Reply Link Quotemain September 19, 2012 at 6:39 am CONVERT YOUR AIRTEL, GLO AND MTN USB MODEM TO UNIVERSAL MODEM SO IT CAN WORK WITH ANY NETWORK. CALL FRANK ON ZERO, SEVEN, ZERO, THREE, SIX, FIVE, FIVE, ZERO, FOUR, THREE, ZERO. PLS, BE WITH THE MODEM AND COMPUTER BEFORE YOU CALL. Reply Link QuoteDRIVING SCHOOL September 19, 2012 at 6:48 am LEARN HOW 2 DRIVE WITHIN 7 DAYS @ an Affordable Fees @ ur Convenience. Home / Office / Private Training also available. 4 Enquiry / Details call DICO on : zero 8 zero 6 6 three 7 zero 8 zero 9, or e-mail :drivein7days@yahoo.com. If u can SEE,then u can DRIVE. It’s POSSIBLE ! Reply Link Quotefranklin September 19, 2012 at 9:12 am Gudmorning all,witout justice there won’t be peace.madam God almight wil bless u. I wish we have somebody like u,in all d states, d number of awaitin trial inmates are morethan convicted prisoners. Wel u did well. Reply Link QuoteIyke September 19, 2012 at 9:34 am before you talk of justice,did you find what they did,that led to their detention.however, keeping someone without trial amounts to denial of justice. hope this particular freedom will not increase the number of criminals troubling us.But I thought there is something called PREROGATIVE OF MERCY???? Reply Link QuoteSirjoe September 19, 2012 at 12:15 pm it is an incredible in nigerian constitution> Reply Link QuoteAbiolawhite September 19, 2012 at 1:16 pm Congratulations to the freed inmates but what about the issue of REHABILATION.I wont be surprised to see some returned to the prison cos the idle hand is a tool in the devil’s workshop. Reply Link Quoteseun September 19, 2012 at 2:31 pm Good job madam Reply Link QuoteDey Dey September 19, 2012 at 3:07 pm freedom from prison without rehabilitation is meaningless, to release is sweet but what come after it is d problem, hope cythian murderer were not among d released ones? Reply Link Quoteferdyokwu September 19, 2012 at 7:37 pm Infact I support ALL convicts being freed but on one proviso. They should ALL be tagged and monitored electronically to check their next moves in life! Reply Link QuoteAustin udowelle September 20, 2012 at 11:21 am This woman merely succeeded in releasing corpses. Come to upper Iweka in Anambra state and see the type of prisoners she released. Walking corpses, de humanised and traumatized humans who cannot even remember their towns and villages. Some of them may not even survive the next two days. They were dumped by the road side to die in their state of origin. Its unfortunate ! Reply Link QuotePost a comment Name Email Website Cancel reply Punch Daily Digest Get fresh news delivered to your inbox daily. 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