Edo Chief Judge frees 12 awaiting trial prisoners

 No fewer than 12 inmates awaiting trial in Oko Medium Security Prison in Benin, whose case files are missing, were yesterday freed by Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Cromwell Idahosa during his visit to the prison.

The inmates were charged with armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms.

Four of them had spent four years and three months, three spent two years and some months while others spent over a year.

“With today’s visit, matters which deserve our attention will be considered and where necessary, appropriate orders will be made as it affects deserving cases,” Justice Idahosa said.

The chief judge while announcing that 987 were awaiting trial in Oko prison disclosed that four courts in Benin Criminal Division were already handling 503 cases of the awaiting trial in Oko prison.

“A cursory look at the list of the inmates as presently drawn up, shows that our effort in sanitising the Criminal Justice Administration in the state is gradually yielding the desired results,” he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Oko prison, Mr. Olugbenga Babarinde, had appealed to the state government for the provision of vehicles to convey inmates to courts.