The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, on Wednesday granted freedom to 153 awaiting trial inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum and Medium prisons.
The inmates who have been awaiting trial for three years and above were released under the prerogative of power vested on her pursuant to provision of section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act Cap C40, 2007 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
While 24 of the inmates were released from the Maximum prison, 129 were released from the medium prison.
Among the 129 inmates released from the Medium prison, 79 were standing trial for serious offences while 50 were standing trial for minor offences.
Three of the inmates released from the Medium prison have been awaiting trial for over 16 years. (TVC)