Ogun sets up Committee to Decongest Correctional Centres
The Ogun state AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, says decongestion of Correctional Centres across the State will be his priority, as the State Government has set up a Committee towards achieving the mission.
He said that Prerogative of Mercy Council Committee and Community Service Centres would be established in conjunction with the State Correctional Service Centre, to decongest the prisons across the State.
He stated this at a familiarisation tours to the Office of the State Controller of Correctional Centres, at Federal Government Secretariat, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta and Ibara and Oba Correctional Centres, in the State.
He assured the Awaiting Trials (ATs) of fair hearing of their cases through the establishment of Private Lawyers to weigh into their cases, if the accused persons were unable to have Government Lawyers.
"Though, most of the accused persons may not be able to deal with the Government Lawyers, that is the more reason, we will establish private Lawyers to come into their cases, for quick dispensation of justice", Adeniran said
He added that, the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee would also be initiated by the present administration, so as to further decongest the prisons, noting that public prosecutors would be given notice of cases in the State for advice.
"This Committee will work with Court Registrar, Director of Public Prosecutions and other relevant agencies, to hasten the dispensation of justice, where the public prosecutors will easily offer advice for court cases relating to awaiting trials, which will reduce overloading of work for prison officers, and others", he said
The Attorney-General of the State vowed to provide them the internet facilities to boost their daily activities, so as reduce most of the paper work and promote quick dispensation of justice.
In his response, the Controller, Ogun State Correctional Centre, Mr. Abolade Victor Benson, appreciated the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, noting that he came to their rescue at the appropriate time.
He said the State Correctional Centre needs the assistance of the State Government concerning the Awaiting Trials (ATs), noting that 80% of ATs were from the State.
Benson said that the Government needs to assist the Correctional Centre through freeing of some inmates who have no case to answer, and which some of them had repented of their sins.
"As you can see them now, most of them are in National Open University (NOUN); some have completed, some of them have learnt vocational jobs which can be useful in the society, they really deserve the Government’s attention", he added
In terms of logistics, the Controller requested for 15 vehicles from the State Government, in order to convey the inmates to their various courts for hearing and courts sessions.