Oyo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Abiodun Aikomo, has disclosed that no fewer than 175 prison inmates were recently freed by the state Chief judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima as part of efforts to decongest the correctional centers in the state
The Commissioner gave the hint on Friday during the Omituntun2.0 Inter-ministerial press briefing in commemoration of the
2nd anniversary of Governor Seyi Makinde’s second term in office, held at the Secretariat, Ibadan.
Aikomo stated that 97 inmates were freed from the Agodi correctional centre in Ibadan, while 78 inmates also got freedom from the Abolongo correctional centre in oyo town.
He described frequent decongestion of prisons as a signal of the federal government’s failure in infrastructural development, particularly in the justice sector.
According to him, the intricacies of the system often hinder timely justice delivery leading to overcrowded correctional facilities, adding that Oyo State is actively working to address it.
The Commissioner, however , expressed optimism on recent constitutional amendments that now allow states to establish and manage their own correctional centres.
He hinted that the benefits of sacked Chairmen of Local Governments elected during the administration of late former governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi have been paid in accordance with the judgement of the Supreme Court ..
