The Chief Judge of Oyo State, His Lordship, Hon Justice Muktah Abimbola on Wednesday granted amnesty to twenty-two (22) inmates of Abolongo Prisons, Oyo Town in Oyo State just as three others were sentenced to Three Months Community Service.
The ceremony took place in commemoration of the birthday of an Advocate of Prisons Decongestion and Member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Prince Adetayo Adekunle.
Although the CJ was not physically present, a three member Special Court consisting of Deputy Chief Registrars Mrs O.A. Adetujoye, Mrs O.A. Ogunrin and Alhaja S.A. Oyerinde conducted the proceedings perfectly.
In his welcome address, the Member representing Oyo Central Constituency at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Hon Adetayo Adekunle thanked the CJ for keying in to his advocacy for prisons decongestion.
He also appreciated the immense roles played by the Controller of Prisons in making today’s auspicious event a reality. Concluding his address, the Youth MP charged those freed not to do anything that would return them behind the bars again and wished them well in their future endeavours.
The Chairman of the Oyo Metropolitan Development Association, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu showered encomiums on the initiator of the programme, Prince Adetayo Adekunle, describing him as a true son of the soil. He also lauded the CJ for rising to the occasion by doing the needful and prayed for long life for the celebrant, his family, the CJ and his staff. A Priest of the Most High God and an Oyo Nobleman, the Archbishop gave out words of exhortation to the released inmates with a charge never to go back to their vomit.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Controller of Prisons in charge of Abolongo Prisons, Oyo Mr S.C. Esan thanked the Chief Judge of Oyo State for heeding the call of the Youth Parliamentarian.
In an emotionally laden voice, Mr Esan said ‘this youngman in whose honour we are gathered here today is worthy of being celebrated. While other youths are wasting their lives away with crimes and drugs, he is putting smiles on the faces of the people and contributing to the polity positively. To be sincere, I pray to have his type as a son’
Members of the New Covenant Church and Justice and Peace Development Movement Oyo came to the rescue of the freed inmates with clothing, food and a stipend to take some of them back to their destination.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
