Lagos CJ Frees 80 Minors, Juvenile Offenders From Badagry Prison
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade on Tuesday freed 80 juveniles, who were incarcerated at the Badagry Prison in the state for sundry offences.
The inmates who are below 18 years old, were arrested and prosecuted by the Lagos State Task Force on various offences such as hawking and breach of the peace.
They were convicted by the Mobile Courts in the Lagos metropolis for various offences and sentenced to terms ranging from six months to two years after failing to pay fines imposed on them.
The prison facility which has 70 staff with a capacity for 320 inmates, is currently accommodating 584 inmates, out of which 389 are convicted and 195 awaiting trial.
Freeing the children from custody, Justice Atilade admonished them to be of good behaviour always.
“In accordance with Section 1 (1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody (Special Provisions) Act Cap C40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007.
“You are hereby released from custody this first day of August 2017 and you are warned to go and sin no more,” the chief judge said.
The children, who looked malnourished and clad in blue and green prison uniform, were immediately handed over to the Ministry of Youths and Social Development.
