Former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Hon. Justice Badejoko Olateju Adeniji, today, celebrated her 74th birthday, with inmates of the Agodi Correctional Centre, in the State, where she provided no fewer than 1,500 inmates with food items and gifts.
The Emeritus Chief Judge, whose birthday event was graced by the Deputy Comptroller, 2IC, Agodi Correctional Centre, Oladepo Ahmed, clerics, family members, and friends, advised the inmates to turn a new leaf after terms of their imprisonment.
She advised the inmates not to dispair over their situation but put their trust in God to regain freedom.
Hon. Justice Adeniji noted that she was very familiar with the Agodi Correctional Centre, having retired as a Chief Judge of the State nine years ago.
Justice Adeniji said she will not stop contributing to the welfare of the inmates.
Adeniji noted that she has encountered many whom she pardoned during her days as Chief Judge outside, saying others could regain freedom with the help of God.
She equally stressed the need for them to hold on to the word of God and thanked the prison officials for giving her the opportunity to celebrate her birthday with the inmates.
Adeniji warned that when freed, inmates must desist from acts that could potentially bring them back to the correctional centre.
The former Chief Judge’s daughter, Tunrayo Adeniji, read the only lesson taken from the book of Psalms 90: 4- the end.
The Deputy Controller, Agodi Correctional Centre, Mr. Oladepo Ahmed and the Chaplain, Liberty Church, Sunday Osakwe congratulated the celebrant on her 74th birthday anniversary.
They commended her for celebrating with the inmates, eulogising her strides while she served as the Chief Judge of Oyo State.
They appealed to the current Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Iyabo Yerima to decongest the correctional centre by assisting some of those convicted through the prerogative of mercy, to regain freedom having spent ¼ of their years of sentence already.
In a brief exhortation, Prophet Festus Boyede Sule, who described Hon. Justice Badejoko Olateju Adeniji (rtd) as an exceptional personality commended her forthrightness during her years as a CJ.
He enjoined inmates to put their faith in God and always pray and hope for a better future.
The highlight of the event was a drama presentation by inmates on how Hon. Justice Badejoko’s freed 74 inmates on December 6, 2010.
Recall that, as part of prison de-congestion exercise, Badejoko Adeniji released 74 Agodi Correctional Centre inmates in 2010.
The prisoners were released on the basis of old age, ‘minor’ offences, stealing, assault, among others.
Packaged by Dare Raji
