Ambode releases 12 Kirikiri Prison inmates

...inmates have spent between thirty-four and twenty years in prison

...Says Justice Sector Reforms on course

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday released twelve inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison in Apapa in furtherance of the law establishing the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy.

The inmates have spent between thirty-four and twenty years in prison and were released having satisfied basic conditions such as remorse, good behaviour and readiness to contribute meaningfully to the society.

Speaking while handing over the release order from the Governor to the Lagos Prisons Command, Chairman of the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Professor Oyelowo Oyewo said the release of the inmates was in line with the commitment of the present administration in the State to the ideals of the justice sector reforms through prison decongestion.

Oyewo, who represented Governor Ambode at the event alongside other members of the Council, said the exercise was pursuant to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which empowered the Governor to exercise prerogative of mercy, and also to offer hope to such inmates who have demonstrated capacity to be re-absolved into the society.

According to Oyewo, a professor of law, "The Advisory Council On Prerogative of Mercy is established under the Laws of Lagos State pursuant to the powers of the Governor under the Constitution to exercise prerogative of mercy. The Council meets to consider applications for the exercise of prerogative of mercy that is forwarded through the Nigerian Prisons authority.

"Basically, in exercising this there are guidelines that are set and some of these include looking at the period that has been served by the inmates and for hard capital offences, such inmates must have served for a sufficient period of time and the reason is that the Council in the guidelines try to balance various interests such as that of the community, the family of the victims and also the interest of the administration of criminal justice and justice reform to ensure that prisoners are reformed and rehabilitated.

"It also include transformation in the life of the prisoner because there must be remorse and acknowledgment of the fact that something wrong had been done and then the prisoner must also have acquired some skills to show that he is ready to be rehabilitated into the society."

Aside that, Oyewo said the families of the released inmates, in accordance with the guidelines, were also made to guarantee that they would follow up on them to ensure that they don't go back to their old ways of crime.

While addressing other inmates at the prison, Oyewo admonished them not to be discouraged but be of good behaviour and repent from their sinful ways, saying that the State Governor was determined to release as many of them who meet the requirements for freedom.

He also said that a reform was being proposed to put a parole system in place to secure the database and monitor prisoners on prerogative of mercy after their release to guide against future crime and ensure they contribute positively to the society.

In his remarks, Controller of Prisons, Lagos Command, Mr Tunde Ladipo commended Governor Ambode for his commitment to justice sector reforms and prison decongestion, saying the release of the inmates had brought hope to to them.

He recalled the release of eighteen inmates in March by the Governor, adding that the development would go a long way in addressing prison congestion which had been a major issue in the administration of justice system in the country.

"It is my great pleasure and honour to receive the letter of release from the very hardworking Governor of Lagos State, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who has passion for God and development of this State.

"I call him the action Governor and off course Lagos has continued to be the number one State in Nigeria and so we are not surprised that this is coming from the State.

"On behalf of the Controller General of Prisons, we want to say a big thank you to the Governor for his commitment to do more for this State and for this prison," Ladipo said.

He also urged the Governor to come to the aid of Lagos Prisons Command in area of logistics, construction of security tower, procurement of CCTV cameras, among others.

Memories Recounted As Family Remember Ologba of Ogba

Today, 21 November, 2017 is one of the most unforgettable days in the Royal Family of Ashade in Ogba, Agege. It was the day that Ologba of Ogbaland, Oba Ibrahim Sanni Ashade joined his ancestors.

It is now three years since the entire Ogba community woke up to the news of the departure of the highly revered custodian of justice.

However, Agege Pulse reliably gathered that the Ashade family are planning to hold prayers to mark the 3rd year anniversary of the late monarch.

In a brief chat with the Regent (Adele) of Ogba, Prince Jelili Kehinde Ashade, he revealed that the family, on a daily basis, feel the gap left by their patriarch whom he said was generous, straight forward and a disciplined man.

The regent stressed that the monarch's legacy has been a source of inspiration for the entire community, hence the need to keep him in prayers.

He confirmed that there would be prayer session for the late Ologba of Ogbaland on Thursday 23rd November, 2017.

Maintain high standard of professional competence, integrity, Ambode tasks new judges

 Maintain high standard of professional competence, integrity, Ambode tasks new judges

….As Lagos CJ seeks appointment of more judges for State

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday swore in three new judges into the State Judiciary, with a charge on them to maintain a high standard of professional competence and integrity to be able to dispense justice to all manners of people without fear or favour, affection or ill will.

The new judges are former Director of the State’s Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Idowu Alakija; former Chief Registrar, High Court of Lagos State, Olugbemiga Ogundare; and former Deputy Registrar of the Court, Serifat Solebo.

Speaking at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House in Ikeja, venue of the ceremony, Governor Ambode said the swearing in of the judges, which was the first of his administration, signified another milestone in his commitment to enhance the quality of life of the people through a justice administration system that is just and fair.

He said over the years, the State Judiciary, apart from being the busiest and most vibrant in the country, had established a reputation for itself as a trail blazer in the entire federation with intellectual judicial pronouncements that have stood the test of time at appellate courts, hence the new judges must also contribute positively to the advancement of administration of justice.

The Governor added that the niche which the State Judiciary had carved for itself over the years was achieved through various reforms that were initiated and faithfully implemented by succeeding leaderships of the State Judiciary in partnership with Executive and Legislature, and pledged that his administration would initiate key reforms in the sector especially in areas of infrastructure, technology, people and processes and improved welfare for the judiciary.

He said the reforms would be based on the recommendations of the recently held Justice Summit by the State’s Ministry of Justice which brought together several stakeholders in the justice sector.

He said: “I congratulate the newly appointed judges for being
adjudged fit and proper persons to be on the respected higher bench of the busiest and most vibrant State judiciary in the country.

“In the end, we hope to bequeath a more vibrant and qualitative judiciary and justice sector fit for the 21st century and beyond. It is also my hope that with the caliber and qualities of these new learned personalities, our bench will be further enriched to effectively discharge its constitutional functions and deliver hope and justice to our people.

“My lords, may I remind you that by these appointments, your conducts and carriage will become subject of public scrutiny. You must therefore maintain a high standard of professional competence and integrity to be able to dispense justice to all manners of people without fear or favour, affection or ill will,” Governor Ambode said.

Earlier, the State’s Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade thanked Governor Ambode for approving the exercise that led to the appointment of the judges, as well as other stakeholders who contributed in the painstaking appointment process.

Besides, the CJ also urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to approve the appointment of more judges for Lagos State Judiciary, being the busiest in the country.
“On the average, a judge in Lagos has over 500 to 600 cases in his or her docket. I was talking with the Chief Judge of Ekiti State the other time and I was told that the whole of the Judiciary of the State has just 400 cases. So, I like to renew my call to the CJN to approve more judges for us and I also urge Governor Ambode to approve another appointment process,” Justice Atilade said.

She also urged the newly appointed judges to embrace hard work and dispense justice without fear or favour.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Justice Alakija thanked Governor Ambode for their appointments, and pledged that they would carry out their duties diligently and abide by the code of conduct.