BENIN CITY – In continuation of his visit to Prison facilities in the state, Chief Judge and Chairman Edo State Administration of Justice Committee, Hon. Justice C. O. Idahosa yesterday in Benin City granted amnesty to 8 inmates at the Central Prison, Benin.
Those who received the Special Mercy of the Chief Judge were; Ufuoma Peter, Lucky Edafe, Blessing Joel and Jennifer Lucky.
Others include: Clement Omonoye who was alleged to have stolen a fowl and Philips Kings. Both were discharged on health ground as the former (Clement Omonoye) had been diagnosed of ulcer and the latter (Philips Kings) was released unconditionally because of his state of health.
However, the Special Court Session almost turned to church service as one of the female inmates carrying about 4 months pregnancy narrated how she travelled from Abuja to see her inmate and was later involved in an alleged case of “attempted to kill” brought before the court by the police.
On how to get back to Abuja and also ensure the safety of the baby yet unborn, Blessing Joels gained the sympathy of those present with instant offering of thirty-two thousand, two hundred and fifty naira (N32,250.00) to take her back to Abuja.
Earlier in his address, Hon. Justice C. O. Idahosa reminded all stakeholders including Prisons authorities of the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act and its impact on administration of Justice in the country.
He said that under the Act, the Comptroller General of Prison shall make returns every ninety days to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, the Chief Judge of the state in which the prison is situated.
“The Attorney – General of the Federation, shall receive report of all persons awaiting trials, held in custody in Nigerian Prisons for a period beyond one hundred and eighty days from the date of arraignment.
He warned that it would be no business as usual maintaining that “the police and the courts equally have their huge responsibilities in the new Administration of Criminal Justice,” and called on all stakeholders to be proactive in their duties.
Hon. Justice Idahosa also used the occasion of the visit, to admonish magistrates and President of Customary and Area Courts to be expeditious in attending to cases brought before them in order to facilitate the dispensation of Justice and decongestion of Prison’s Facilities in the state.
In his welcome address, the Deputy – Comptroller of Benin Central Prison, Mr. Solo Airiohuodion called on the State Chief Judge to intervene in some of the challenges facing the Centre.
He stated that the Benin Central Prison has only one pick-up van used in conveying inmates to court, maintaining that “this challenge has seriously affected the cause of administration of Justice.
He however, commended the State Chief Judge and his team for their efforts at decongesting prisons in the state and prayed God’s wisdom upon the Chief Judge to make the right decisions. The movement continues with visit to Ubiaja and Auchi today. – (Nigerian Observer)
