Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ayodeji Daramola, has, in a bid to decongest Correctional Centres, granted amnesty to 18 awaiting trial inmates, 13 convicts and two were granted bail on liberal terms.
In a statement, on Thursday, by the Chief Registrar of Ekiti State Judiciary, Mr. Johnson Apuabi, Daramola said that his visit to the Correctional Centre was practically in line with the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to decongest Correctional Centres across the country in order to reduce the spread of Coronavirus that is ravaging the entire country.
He said 13 convicts were granted amnesty based on old age, others were pardoned based on the fact that their jail term was near completion.
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He added, in all, 334 cases were reviewed, 18 were pardoned based on lesser offences committed ranging from burglary to stealing and theft, while two were granted bail on liberal terms.
The chief judge noted that the visit was a low key event devoid of the presence of many dignitaries, and also in line with the Ekiti State directives banning large gatherings, while those present adhered strictly to all rules and regulations guiding the spread of Coronavirus.
In his address, the Chief Judge said, many of the inmates were incarcerated for belonging to bad groups among others, he advised them to henceforth shun evil vices and be good and law abiding citizens.
He, however, thanked officers of the correctional Centre for maintaining hygienic condition in and around the Centre.
