Ten inmates of Ikoyi Prisons were granted amnesty by the Chief Judge of Lagos state, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, on Wednesday, December 30.

The judge said that her gesture was aimed not only at decongesting the prisons but ensuring that deserving inmates could breathe a fresh air of freedom.

Atilade congratulated the freed inmates and urged them to make positive impacts on the society.

“In congratulating the beneficiaries of today’s exercise, I must note that they are being given another opportunity to start afresh, moreso as it is coming on the eve of a new year.

“I do sincerely hope and pray that those being granted amnesty today will be of good conduct and will do no such thing capable of bringing them back into prison,” she said.

The judge further noted that steps have been taken by the judiciary to facilitate speedy trials and dispensation of justice to reduce drastically the number of those awaiting trial.

According to her, the newly introduced Bail Information Management System is “a ground breaking innovation to improve the administration of criminal justice in Lagos state”.

Atilade also called on the office of the public defender, the Nigerian Bar Association and non-governmental organisations to assist inmates to get speedy dispensation of justice.

Earlier in his speech, Julius Ezugwu, the deputy controller of Ikoyi Prisons, revealed that the correctional facility which had a capacity for 800 inmates currently had 2,084 inmates.

He stressed the importance of cordial relationship existing between the prison authority, the police and the judiciary.

“The synergy and collaboration among us has translated into the orderly, stable and peaceful community that abounds in this prison,” he added.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Chief Judge earlier released 16 inmates from the prisons.