The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, on Tuesday released an inmate of Kirikiri Medium Security Prisons, Lucky Nelson, who is suffering from tuberculosis.
However, the chief judge declined to release 14 inmates whose cases were forwarded to her because they failed to meet the criteria for pardon.
Nelson, who has been in prison since 2012 for obtaining N25, 000 under false pretence is also diagnosed of diabetes.
On enquiry, a nursing officer of the prison who brought his medical file before the chief judge, said the inmate’s case has defied medication.
Justice Oke said Nelson was released from prison on compassionate ground because of ill- health and “to prevent the spread of tuberculosis amongst other inmates.
“I also considered the period you have been in custody without trial,” she said.
Exercising her power to grant amnesty, Justice Oke freed the inmate on compassionate ground.
” Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 1(1) of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) Act, 2007 as well as Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution, you Lucky Nelson, you are hereby released from custody this 20th day of February, 2018.
“I want you to go out there, be of good behaviour and sin no more,” the chief judge added.
However, 10 inmates of the Kirikiri Female Prisons who are nursing mothers, failed to meet the criteria for release during the visit by the chief judge.
She ordered the Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ms Titi Shita-Bey and Director in the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Mrs. Olubukola Salami and their officials to take the inmates’ details.
The Nation
Emeh Achanga,the CEO of the Miss Petite Nigeria Brand is a lawyer turned blogger. She is very passionate about writing, with several publications and awards to her credit .She is currently working on publishing a collection of short stories which are basically a memoir about her exciting true experiences.
