367 inmates awaiting trial in Ekiti prison – AG

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ekiti State, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, has said that out of the 488 inmates currently in Ado Ekiti prison, only 121 have been convicted, while the 367 others are awaiting trial.

Fapounda, therefore, called for synergy between his office, the prisons, the police and other security agencies as part of efforts to decongest the prison and ensure quick dispensation of justice in the state.

He made the call yesterday at a stakeholders’ meeting held with security chiefs in the state at the Ministry of Justice complex in Ado Ekiti.

Fapohunda, who explained he called the meeting to discuss solutions to prosecutorial challenges and prison congestion, stressed the importance of prompt remittance of case files to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for proper legal advice.

He informed the security chiefs that the state Ministry of Justice had zero tolerance for arbitrary letters of discontinuance relating to serious crimes such as rape, kidnapping and murder, saying such applications were counter-productive and detrimental to the goal of achieving effective prosecution of criminal matters.

The Attorney-General said proper investigation of cases by the police and correct handling of exhibits such as medical reports and confessional statements would further enhance the work of the ministry.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Asuquo Amba, lauded the state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, for his support to the command.

At the meeting, the Controller of Prisons, Ekiti State Command, Mr Akinyemi Afolabi, called for an agreement between agencies handling criminal justice in the state, which he said would further enhance prompt dispensation of criminal cases and facilitate prison decongestion.