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Oyo CJ releases 32 inmates from Agodi custodial centre
The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, released 32 inmates on Monday, 31 unconditionally and the last one sentenced to community service within the custodial centre, from the Agodi Custodial Centre of the Nigeria Correctional Service, in furtherance of the exercise of her power of release from custody as provided in Chapter 40, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2016, Oyo State, Nigeria.
The programme, which was the first leg of a two-day exercise, was based on the vision of decongesting the already overstretched prison and also ensuring that justice is seen to have been manifestly done.
Speaking during the exercise, Justice Yerima said that in the face of the law, every suspect is deemed innocent until proven guilty, and because the prisons are congested, there is a need to look at ways to remedy the situation and reduce the overcrowding of prisons, especially in order to avoid outbreaks of diseases on the basis of incarceration, which is longer than the penalty if convicted, and people who have contagious diseases, in line with statutory provisions for the release of the inmate.
She said the aim was to decongest the already overstretched prison facility, adding that there is no argument that there is congestion in the prison considering the number of awaiting trial inmates.
“There is congestion in the prison, and that is why we are here. The administration of criminal justice provides for the decongestion of prisons as a statutory responsibility. We have a statutory duty under the constitution to frequently decongest the prison
“The exercise is for those unlawfully arrested or who have stayed behind bars longer than the period they should have stayed if convicted; those whose trial has been unduly delayed; or those whose condition requires being shown mercy in line with the provision of the law,” she added.
The Chief Judge said that the exercise on Monday was tedious due to some administrative lapses in some quarters, but explained that the exercise will be carried out every three months so that the exercise of decongesting the prisons will be effective.
The list for consideration had about 200 names, of which 31 were released unconditionally for unreasonable delay in their trial, being underage, and on compassionate grounds for health issues, while one man, Hazeez Abeeb (220), who was alleged to have stolen a phone, was sentenced to community service within the custodial centre.
The Nigerian Tribune reports that the administration of criminal justice provides for decongestion of prison as a statutory responsibility, especially for issues involving people unlawfully arrested or who have stayed behind bars longer than the period they should have stayed if convicted, those whose trial has been unduly delayed, or those whose condition requires being shown mercy in line with the provision of the law.
At the time of the exercise on Monday, Agodi Custodial Centre, which has a capacity to house 380 inmates, had an open house of 1250, out of which 177 had been convicted and 1049 were awaiting trial.
One of the 31 people released was a 13-year-old Senior Secondary School 1 student of Oluyole Grammar School, Ayomide Oladejo, who was wrongfully arrested alongside some people who were alleged to have stolen cement. While those he was arrested with had been granted bail, he was remanded because he couldn’t perfect his bail condition.
Speaking at the exercise, the Comptroller of Prison, Oyo State Command, Abdulraheem Salami, stated that the exercise of prerogatives over the CJ’s pardon of inmates was an answer to his appeal, as the prison was already overstretched and they were only trying to maintain law and order as well as prevent an epidemic outbreak.
News
Shettima becomes 1st VP to lead Nigeria’s delegation to UN Assembly in 25 yrs
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided not to attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York this year.
The president has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation.
President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the United Kingdom, according to a statement yesterday by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings.”
“The high-level General Debate, with the theme ‘Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,’ will run from Tuesday, September 24, through Saturday, September 28, 2024,” the statement added.
Since return to democratic governance in 199, Shettima will be the first Vice President to Nigeria’s delegation to UNGA.
Only Goodluck Jonathan represented Nigeria as Acting president in September 2010 at the 65th UNGA, while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was away in Saudi Arabia due to his ill health.
News
Plateau Assembly approves N5.8bn for LG election
The Plateau State House of Assembly, on Thursday, approved N5.8bn for the conduct of the local government election in the state slated for October 9, 2024.
The approval by the House followed a communication from Governor Caleb Mutfwang, which was read at plenary by the Assembly Speaker, Gabriel Dewan.
The Speaker stated that the request was necessary as there was no budgetary allocation for the LG elections in the 2024 budget.
A member of the State Assembly, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak for the Assembly, confirmed the development to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday.
The lawmaker said, “Governor Mutfwang, at Tuesday’s plenary, sought the House’s approval for N5.7bn as the 2024 supplementary, which was increased after upward review by the legislators.”
He continued, “The House leader, Joseph Bukar, presented the bill during our plenary. While soliciting the support of members for speedy passage, he said PLASIEC was running out of time in preparation for the election.”
“In their individual contributions, Hon. Kalamu Dal suggested a downward review of the budget size, while Hon. Daniel Nanbol urged for a critical review and deliberations. Afterwards, members approved a revised sum of N5.8bn, as opposed to the N5.7bn requested.”
The increase, as explained by Bukar, was due to an increase in security allocation for the election, from N2.7m to N4.2m. “So, that is what happened, and that is where we are at the moment regarding the forthcoming LG election,” the lawmaker concluded.
News
Enugu, Kwara tighten security ahead of LG polls
Security measures have been intensified in Enugu and Kwara states ahead of their Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 21, 2024.
In Enugu State, the Police Command has pledged to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the elections.
However, the peace accord signing for the elections was marred by the absence of major parties like the Peoples Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, and Labour Party.
Only representatives from the All Progressives Grand Alliance and Accord attended but chose not to sign the accord, citing the lack of participation from the leading parties.
Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, said all wards and flashpoints had been identified, and security personnel would be on high alert to prevent any disruptions.
The Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, Prof. Chris Ngwu, said the commission was fully prepared for the elections with the support of the state government in procuring necessary materials.
In Kwara State, security agencies have been actively coordinating to ensure a smooth electoral process.
Over 3,000 personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been deployed across the state.
The Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission has completed arrangements for a trouble-free election.
Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, reported that a strategic meeting with heads of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, and others, had been held to ensure coordinated efforts for maintaining law and order.
The Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, guaranteed maximum security for the election period.
The NSCDC Commandant, Dr. Umar Mohammed, announced the deployment of 3,000 personnel to various polling units and emphasised their role in preventing violence, ballot snatching, and other disruptions.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission, Telumun Tombowua, announced on Thursday that eight political parties will participate in the upcoming LG elections in the state, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Tombowua said the election would be conducted fairly and transparently.
He emphasised that the law establishing the BSIEC does not permit the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation Machines for this election.
Regarding the APC, Tombowua confirmed that the National Working Committee of the party had requested the commission to work with the seven-man caretaker committee appointed to oversee party affairs in the state.
He noted that while 14 parties had initially shown interest, only eight completed the necessary processes and submitted their candidates.
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