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Oyo CJ releases 32 inmates from Agodi custodial centre

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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Customs disolves border patrol team amidst smuggling, brutality allegations

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The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the dissolution of its Joint Border Patrol Team (JBPT).

The Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Abdullahi Maiwada, in a statement Tuesday, said the decision was made after due consultation with the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The House of Representatives had, on December 11, mandated its Committees on Customs and Excise, Defence, to investigate the operations and activities of the NCS across the nation’s borders over alleged complicity in aiding smuggling and involvement in brutality against Nigerians.

The committees were also directed to examine the role of military personnel attached to Customs patrols in order to ensure their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.

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The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Sesi Whingan who alleged that rather than prevent smuggling, recent reports showed that Customs’ personnel across the borders were aiding and abetting smuggling.

But the Customs spokesman explained yesterday that the dissolution of the joint border patrol team was part of the NCS’ efforts to strengthen border management and reinvigorate its 2025 enforcement strategy.

The JBPT, coordinated by the ONSA, evolved from an ex-swift response team to become a tripartite operation comprising Benin Republic, Niger Republic and Nigeria.

The patrol team was tasked with combating smuggling, irregular migration, and other transnational organised crimes along the nations’ borders, among others.

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Maiwada said the team’s dissolution would not compromise border security or trade facilitation, but represents a significant step towards modernising Customs’ operations, improving trade compliance and strengthening national security.

The NCS said the move was part of the organisation’s ‘2025 enforcement strategy’.

“This strategy is aimed at removing bottlenecks associated with trade, strengthening border security, combating smuggling, and facilitating legitimate trade,” he said.

Maiwada also disclosed that Adewale Adeniyi, NCS Comptroller-General, had approved the reduction of customs checkpoints across the country to streamline its operations and to ease movement of goods and persons.

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According to the statement, Adeniyi said the NCS would shift reliance to intelligence.

“Moving forward, customs operations will rely more on actionable intelligence and strategic risk management frameworks to enhance efficiency and effectiveness,” the statement quoted the CG as saying.

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Nigerians Are In Pains Because We Chose Darkness In Place Of Light — Bishop Kukah

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The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has stated that Nigerians are pains because they refused to be liberated from “darkness.”

The priest said this in his Christmas message at the Holy Family Cathedral Catholic Church, Sokoto Diocese on Tuesday night.

He emphasised that embracing transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service, politics, and individual conduct could significantly improve the country’s current state.

He said, “Nigeria’s lack of visible and measurable progress is tied to the fact that we have chosen darkness rather than light.

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“Imagine if we let the light shine on our public service, on our politics, on our individual, community, and national life, and on our public institutions. Imagine what Nigeria would be like if we chose light instead of darkness.

“They will know we are Christians by our love,” highlighting that the country’s journey to greatness remains constrained by ethnicity, nepotism, and greed.

“We are still unable to embrace the ideals of our national anthem that says: ‘Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.’ Diversity is a gift from God. Let us use it effectively as a tool for national mobilization and cohesion,” he advised.

Kukah also lauded the passage of the “Not Too Young to Run Bill” in 2018, which opened doors for increased youth participation in politics.

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However, he acknowledged the ongoing challenges, such as the high costs of political participation and issues of internal democracy, which still hinder young people’s active engagement.

He also commended the enactment of the Student Loan Act 2024 and the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund by the federal government.

These initiatives, he noted, have the potential to expand opportunities for Nigerian youth, including those pursuing vocational and technical skills.

“It is significant that the Act does not limit access to university students alone. We hope this project will be free of bureaucratic bottlenecks and favoritism, ensuring that poverty does not exclude anyone from receiving a good education,” Kukah said.

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He encouraged the youth to take full advantage of these opportunities while also expressing concern about the ongoing security challenges in the country, which he described as a persistent obstacle to national stability.

Kukah, however, called on all Nigerians to choose the path of light, unity, and love, stressing that these values are essential for the nation’s progress and development.

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Omole celebrates christian faithful, says this is time for renewal of faith in nation and state

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As Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Foundation of christianity today, the Coordinator of the Osun PDP Dynamic Support Group, Comrade Omole Oluwasegun has called on Christians in Osun State and Nigerians as a whole to renew their faith in our country, insisting that our nation must be great again.

Omole noted that Nigeria is blessed with enormous material and human resources.

He said Nigerians should believe in the greatness of our nation and support the Government to achieve the required dividends.

He called on Christians to use the occasion of the birth of Jesus Christ to rededicate themselves to the advancement of the ideals of nation building. He also called for prayers against societal ills such as terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.

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Omole said Nigeria and its leaders need all the prayers and support at this time to positively change the fortunes of our fatherland.

“May this Christmas present for you an opportunity to renew and grow your faith in God and our nation, Nigeria. And may you and your family be blessed beyond measure”, he prayed.

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