Lagos Judiciary to Review Convicts’ Sentencing Guideline

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke has
disclosed plans by the state judiciary to review the sentencing
guideline of suspects convicted in minor offences.

Justice Oke stated this on Wednesday during her visit to Ikoyi
Prisons to release some deserving inmates.

A total number of 19 inmates were released by the Chief Judge
during the visit.

Amongst those released is one Damilola Joseph, a final year
Computer Science student of University of Lagos who was charged for
stealing but has been in prison custody since 2016 following his
inability to perfect his N250,000 bail conditions.

Reacting to complaint by some inmates of the prison who have
been unable to pay option of fine imposed on them, Justice Oke
noted that the state judiciary is aware of the challenges faced by
such inmates and is working towards addressing it.

“We have heard your complaints and you can be rest assured that
we are working towards addressing them. By next week, we are having
a meeting with magistrates to address some of these issues
including bail conditions.

“Thereafter, I will be signing a new policy regarding fines and
sentencing guideline on cases before our courts,” she said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in
charge of Ikoyi Prisons, Ogunsakin Tolu expressed appreciation to
the Chief Judge for her commitment to the release of deserving
inmates.

Ogunsakin however appealed to the Chief Judge to assist the
prison authorities in its decongestion effort by accelerating trial
and adopting community service for minor offences.

“Your lordship, I am appealing to you on passionate ground to
help us in the area of acceleration of trial, and dispensation of
justice especially where minor offence can be given a community
service as punishment for such offenders.

“I also appeal for the introduction of parole as it is being
done in some countries and the issue of amnesty by the state
governor in order to reduce the overcrowding in our prisons,” he
pleaded.

According DCP Ogunsakin Ikoyi Prison with normal lockup capacity
of 800 inmates presently have 2752 inmates. 2261 of the inmates are
awaiting trial while 491 has been convicted.

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke has
disclosed plans by the state judiciary to review the sentencing
guideline of suspects convicted in minor offences.

Justice Oke stated this on Wednesday during her visit to Ikoyi
Prisons to release some deserving inmates.

A total number of 19 inmates were released by the Chief Judge
during the visit.

Amongst those released is one Damilola Joseph, a final year
Computer Science student of University of Lagos who was charged for
stealing but has been in prison custody since 2016 following his
inability to perfect his N250,000 bail conditions.

Reacting to complaint by some inmates of the prison who have
been unable to pay option of fine imposed on them, Justice Oke
noted that the state judiciary is aware of the challenges faced by
such inmates and is working towards addressing it.

“We have heard your complaints and you can be rest assured that
we are working towards addressing them. By next week, we are having
a meeting with magistrates to address some of these issues
including bail conditions.

“Thereafter, I will be signing a new policy regarding fines and
sentencing guideline on cases before our courts,” she said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in
charge of Ikoyi Prisons, Ogunsakin Tolu expressed appreciation to
the Chief Judge for her commitment to the release of deserving
inmates.

Ogunsakin however appealed to the Chief Judge to assist the
prison authorities in its decongestion effort by accelerating trial
and adopting community service for minor offences.

“Your lordship, I am appealing to you on passionate ground to
help us in the area of acceleration of trial, and dispensation of
justice especially where minor offence can be given a community
service as punishment for such offenders.

“I also appeal for the introduction of parole as it is being
done in some countries and the issue of amnesty by the state
governor in order to reduce the overcrowding in our prisons,” he
pleaded.

According DCP Ogunsakin Ikoyi Prison with normal lockup capacity
of 800 inmates presently have 2752 inmates. 2261 of the inmates are
awaiting trial while 491 has been convicted.