The Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Ikere-Ekiti Branch Human Rights Committee, in partnership with the Ekiti State Judiciary have perfected the bail of 17 inmates that were granted amnesty in the State.
The inmates, who were granted amnesty on 20th November, 2024 by the Acting Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye on health grounds, during his first official visit to the correctional service, were assisted pro bono by the Committee.
Speaking with Journalists, the Vice Chairman of NBA Ikere-Ekiti Branch and Chairman, Human Rights Committee, Iyanu Olumuagun said the move was part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism.
Her words, “This is the week that NBA throughout the federation is celebrating the rights of human being . All humans are equal and we all have the rights. And to allow the inmate to know that the Ekiti State Judiciary cares for the people that are behind the iron bars.”
She stressed that the Human Rights Committee collaborated with the Ekiti State Judiciary for the perfection the bail of the 17 inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ado-Ekiti.
Earlier, the Committee had visited the Correctional Service to interact with the inmates with the lecture titled: “Behind Iron Bars, You Get The Chance To See who Really Loves You”.
During the visit on 28th day of November 2024, the Controller of the centre, Tolorunshagba Emmanuel sought for the assistance of the Human Rights Committee on inmates’ welfare.
The officer in charge of the correctional services, Amele Olutope said: “There are some inmates that the Chief Judge granted bail but they were unable to perfect the bail due to their inabilities to pay their lawyers. He said Committee has earlier partnered with the Correctional Centre on inmates’ welfare, as part of the civil responsibilities of their to fight injustice.”
The inmates, who were granted bail on Health grounds for various offenses , appreciated the Acting Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye
for deeming it necessary to grant them bail, pending the determination of their cases.
Okunola Omotayo, mother of an inmate appreciated the Ekiti State Judiciary and Human Rights Committee for granting her son bail and clearing his lawyers’ charges pro bono.
Adelusi Mary, who stood for one of the inmates also appreciated NBA Ikere-Ekiti for perfecting the bail conditions while acknowledging that she couldn’t perfect the bail.
“I want to show my gratitude and by God’s grace, they won’t be implicated in the job and they won’t face troubles with their homes and work and we shall be grateful.”
Another mother of an inmate who preferred to be identified Olorunfemi, equally hailed the State government, the lawyers in Ikere Ekiti who perfected the release to his child and the Acting Chief Judge who granted him bail without paying charges to the lawyers.