Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, has released 59 out of the 903 inmates awaiting trial in Agodi Prison in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.
The released inmates comprised of 53 males and six females.
Abimbola who released the inmates during his visit to the prison, added that they were awaiting trial on various grounds.
He stated that the purpose of his visit to the prison was to ensure a speedy administration of justice to the inmates that were awaiting trials.
The CJ also said this would ensure that congestion in the prison was reduced to its barest minimum.
He disclosed that some of those released were discovered to have been arrested unlawfully.
Others had been detained for more than the number of years they would have spent in detention for the offences committed, he stated.
As stated by the CJ, some of those released had health challenges while others were supposed to have been charged as civil matter but charged as criminal cases.
“The released inmates have been given another opportunity to repent and live a crime-free life; but if they waste such an opportunity again, nature will catch up with them.
“I urge the released inmates to learn their lessons and go to the society to sin no more,” Abimbola stated.
In the same vein, Mr Ogunmola Tairudeen, Controller of Prisons, Oyo State Command, said that Agodi Prison had been experiencing a great congestion of inmates.
Tairudeen said that there were 1,003 inmates at Agodi Prison while only seven of them had been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The controller said that 93 of the inmates had been convicted, adding he was very glad for the visit of the chief judge to the prison.
He urged the released inmates not to return to their sinful act and commended the judiciary for the mercy granted to the inmates.