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Tag: Ikoyi Prison

  • Court remands suspected cultist

    An Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos Thursday remanded in Ikoyi Prison a suspected cultist, Jamiu Atolagbe, alias Anto, who allegedly killed four men.

    Chief Magistrate Alex Komolafe remanded the defendant following an application by the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (ForceCIID) Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.

    He ordered that the case file be sent to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice and adjourned till June 5.

    Atolagbe, 24, of 24, Sango Street, Ajah, was put in the dock on a temporary four-count charge of conspiracy, murder, belonging to and managing an unlawful society.

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    Prosecuting Inspector Cousin Adams alleged that Atolagbe committed the offences on April 15, at about 4:45am at General Paints Area, Ajah.

    He said the defendant, an alleged member of “Aiye Confraternity,” killed four unidentified persons.

    According to the prosecutor, the offences contravened Sections 41, 42, 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Atolagbe’s plea was not taken, because magistrates’ court has no jurisdiction to try a murder charge.

  • Mobile courts, task force our headache, says Prisons controller

    Lagos State Controller of Prisons, Mr. Tunde Ladipo has said that the operations of mobile courts and Lagos State Environmental Task Force are creating challenges for the prison system in the state.

    He said their activities are largely responsible for congestions in the prisons.

    Speaking at the stakeholders’ forum held at Ikoyi Prison Monday, Mr. Ladipo noted that many detainees, including juveniles and cripples, are remanded in prison for petty offences such as breach of the peace, affray among others.

    He noted that some of the offences for which most of the juveniles are charged, like “lack of visible means of livelihood” are not even in the statute books.

    According to Ladipo, though it has been suggested that the courts deploy community service in managing petty offences especially, this has not been fully implemented, leading to congestion of prisons.

    Read Also:Mobile courts try over 5,000 offenders in nine months

    “The implication is that we are unable to discharge one of our primary duties, namely reform of convicted prisoners because facilities are overstretched by awaiting trial inmates”, he lamented.

    He commended the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) for its prison reform interventions, describing its Executive Director, Dr. Uju Agomoh as “a senior advocate of the masses and the only prison officer who, as acknowledged by the Controller General of Prisons, does not wear uniform.”

    The Prison Reform Project is a prison decongestion programme spearheaded by PRAWA in partnership with the Nigeria Prison Service and Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON).

    Stakeholders from LACON, State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti (Legal Department), pro bono lawyers and para-legals as well as heads of all the prison formations in Lagos attended the forum.

    Ladipo urged PRAWA to extend its prison decongestion programme to other prisons in Lagos, including Kirikiri Medium and Maximum Security Prisons, noting that the prison population at Ikoyi Prison would have been unbearable save for the intervention of PRAWA and other stakeholders.

    Responding to complaints by some participants,  Ladipo warned prison officers against corrupt activities, noting that disciplinary measures had been taken against defaulting officers.

    He commended the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr. Edgal Imohimi   for improving transfer of case files by police to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office for legal advice, adding, “the DPP has been very supportive.”

    Civil rights lawyer and a pro bono participant in the Prison Reform Project (PRP), Mr. Emeka Nwadioke decried the handling of petty offenders such as street hawkers and destitutes by the task force, adding ,  “we must find better ways of managing this group of people than clamping them in prison. Criminalization of poverty is unacceptable.”

    On her part, Dr. Agomoh emphasized the need to ensure that proof of service is henceforth provided for production warrants to avoid delays in criminal trials, adding that the prison service should devise a register for such warrants to enable tracking while courts should demand to cite such proofs.

    She also recommended that the police should attach charge sheets to production warrants to avoid cases of detainees being held endlessly in prisons due to missing charge sheets, noting that the judiciary should also direct court registrars to transmit the charge sheets to the prisons, prosecution and defence counsel.

    In tackling the incidence of juvenile suspects in prisons, Agomoh suggested better synergy between the key agencies, adding that aside from prosecuting agencies alerting the juvenile institutions on impending court cases, such institutions should also have their officers in court to take juvenile suspects into custody.

    Information on all the prison facilities in Lagos state revealed that they are all congested.

    Of the 2,919 inmates in Ikoyi Prison, only 533 inmates are convicts while 2, 386 others are awaiting trial inmates. Also, of the 1, 627 inmates at Kirikiri Maximum Prison, over 1, 000 are awaiting trial inmates while the Kirikiri Medium Security Prison with a lock-up capacity of 1, 700 is holding 3, 602 inmates.

     

  • Chief Judge frees 19 Ikoyi Prison inmates

    REPRIEVE yesterday came for 19 Ikoyi Prison  inmates.

    Lagos State Chief Judge (CJ) Justice Opeyemi Oke freed the inmates who have been awaiting trial for minor offences for between three and five years.

    Besides, Justice Oke  spoke of plans plans to review the fines and sentences for minor offences.

    Among the freed is Damilola Joseph, a final year Computer Science student of the University of Lagos, who was charged with stealing but has been in custody since 2016 following his inability to perfect his bail conditions.

    The CJ told them to, henceforth, be of good behaviour and desist from any act that would bring them back to prison.

    Reacting to  some inmates’ complaints about huge fines and stiff bail conditions, Justice Oke said the  judiciary was working towards addressing such challenges.

    “We have heard your complaints and you can be rest assured that we are working towards addressing them. By next week, we are having a meeting with magistrates to address some of these issues including bail conditions.

    “Thereafter, I will be signing a new policy regarding fines and sentencing guidelines on cases before our courts,” she said.

    Deputy Comptroller of  Ikoyi Prisons, Tolu Ogunsakin  appealed to the CJ to assist  in  decongesting the prison through accelerated trial and adoption of community service for minor offences.

    “I also appeal for the introduction of parole as it is being done in some countries and  amnesty by the  governor in order to reduce  overcrowding in our prisons,” he pleaded.

    Ikoyi Prison, which was  built in 1955, with a  capacity for 800 inmates presently holds  2752  comprising 2261 awaiting trial and 491 convicts.

  • Court remands Mother for pouring hot water that led to son death

    Court remands Mother for pouring hot water that led to son death

    An Ebute Meta Chief Magistrates’ court on Friday remanded  Mary Eze, in Ikoyi prison for allegedly pouring hot water on her seven-year-old son for misplacing N200 which led to his death.

    The accused, 40, a petty trader appeared before Chief Magistrate, Mrs Oluyemisi Adelaja, on a charge for murder, but her plea was not taken by the court.

    The Investigating Police Officer, (IPO) Insp. Chris Akpanomo, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on Dec. 8,  at No. 670, Ikorodu Road, Owode Elede in Ikorodu.

    He alleged that the accused had sent the deceased with the last N200 she had, to buy food for her, but he returned to tell her that he had misplaced the money.

    According to Akpanomo, out of annoyance she poured hot water on him, locked him in the house and went about her daily routine.

    He added that it was his persistent shouts that attracted neighbours, who rushed him to the hospital where he later died.

    The offence contravened section 222 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 which stipulates a death sentence for convicts.

    The Chief Magistrate ordered that the accused be remanded at the Ikoyi Prisons pending the outcome of legal advice from the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP’s).

    She, however, adjourned the case until January 24, 2018 for legal advice.

    NAN

  • NPS probes death of awaiting trial inmate at Ikoyi Prison

    NPS probes death of awaiting trial inmate at Ikoyi Prison

    The Lagos State Controller of the Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS), Mr Tunde Ladipo, has ordered investigation into the death of an awaiting trial inmate at Ikoyi Prison.

    The suspect, Chizoba Okoye, who was facing charges of kidnapping before an Ebute Metta Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, was shot when he attempted to escape within the court premises on Wednesday.

    The command’s spokesman, Rotimi Oladokun, said in a statement that the incident happened after the case was adjourned and the escort team was leading the suspect to the holding cell in the court premises.

    “Thinking he could escape the watchful eyes of the armed guards, the suspect suddenly took to his heels, defiling verbal warnings and warning shots from the armed personnel and subsequently arrested.

    “Unfortunately he lost his life on his way to the hospital for medical attention,” the NPS spokesman said in the statement.

    He said that the Lagos State Command of the NPS has ordered an investigation into the incident and reassured the public of adequate cover in all the prison formations in the state.

    The NPS spokesman thanked sister security agents for their support in apprehending the suspect and appealed to the public to volunteer useful information that would assist in ridding the state of criminals.

  • Court remands Cameroonian house help in prison for murder

    Court remands Cameroonian house help in prison for murder

    An Igbosere High Court has ordered a house help, Mr Leudjou Joel to be remanded in Prison custody for allegedly killing his employer, Miss Dayo Eniola for refusing to grant him salary advance.

    Joel, 21, a Cameroonian, was arraigned on Monday before Justice Adedayo Akintoye by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Adeniji Kazeem.

    The defendant was alleged to have murdered her employer by stabbing her to death.

    Kazeem said the incident happened on December 20, 2016 at the deceased residence, 15 Prince Tayo Adesanya Street, Park View Estate, Ikoyi.

    During the proceedings, Kazeem told the court that the defendant is being arraigned for murder.

    He requested the court to remand Joel in prison custody pending commencement of the trial, because of the heinous nature of the crime for which he is being arraigned.

    Justice Akintoye, granted the request of the prosecution and ordered Joel be remanded in custody at the Ikoyi Prison.

    The trial judge adjourned the matter till January 18, 2018 for commencement of trial.

  • Mercy Aigbe’s husband, Gentry, remanded in prison

    Mercy Aigbe’s husband, Gentry, remanded in prison

    A businessman, Mr Olanrewaju Gentry has been remanded in Ikoyi Prison custody for allegedly assaulting his wife and Nollywood star, Mercy Aigbe.

    He would remain in prison custody until his bail is perfected.

    Gentry 52, was Tuesday arraigned before an Ogba Magistrate court for allegedly assaulting  Aigbe.

    The police arraigned Gentry on a three count charge offence bordering on breach of public peace, assault and causing grievous bodily harm on his wife before Magistrate Mrs O Aje- Afunwa.

    Police prosecutor, Inspector N. Peter told the court that Gentry on April 17, conduct red himself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by constituting nuisance and behaving in a disorderly manner in a public place.

    According to the prosecutor, Gentry unlawfully assaulted one Mercy Aigbe by beating her with fiscal blow all over her body.

    He was further alleged to have caused Mercy Aigbe grievous bodily harm after giving her a blow on the nose with blood gushing out.

    Peter said the offence committed by Gentry was contrary to and punishable under sections  157 (f), 168 (a) and 171 of the Criminal Law No II, Vol. 44 Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2011.

    Gentry entered a not guilty plea to the three count charge offence.

    Magistrate Aje-Afunwa granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in the like sum.

    She ordered that the sureties must show proof of tax payment and own a verifiable house in Lagos with title documents.

    She adjourned the matter till May 12 for trial.

     

  • 120 Ikoyi prison inmates get skill certificates

    120 Ikoyi prison inmates get skill certificates

    No fewer than 120 inmates of Ikoyi Prisons have received certificates in vocational training.
    They were trained how to make shoes, belts, small chops, produce detergents and disinfectants, among others.
    They were divided into event management (decoration, ushering and security); art and craft, production and catering teams.
    A non-governmental organisation, Prisoner Rights Advocacy Initiative (RRAI), organised the skills acquisition, business development and value re-orientation workshop.
    Ikoyi Prisons Assistant Controller Mr Akeem Saliu said the training was organised to equip the inmates with skills to enable them earn a living on completing their time.
    According to him, it was part of the reformatory objectives of the prison in order to prevent inmates from returning to crime when released due to lack of work.
    PRAI Director Mr Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem said besides fighting for prisoners’ rights, there was the need to equip inmates for life after prison.
    “We have assisted over 100 inmates directly by securing their freedom when they are illegally detained without trial. But the challenge has always been: how do you bring them out and make them stay out? That was why we decided to go beyond litigation.
    “Sometimes they return to prison after being released by engaging in crime because some of them don’t have hope or means of survival. We believe the training will equip them with skills to survive outside prison and never to return,” Adetola-Kazeem said.
    A lawyer, Jamiu Akolade, who spoke to the inmates on legal requirements for starting a business, said they could come together when they leave the prison to set up a business.
    He urged them to register a business name, and register their products with regulatory agencies, such as, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), among others.
    Akolade said they must also remember to document their transactions, such as investment terms, and ensure that everything is written down.
    An entrepreneur, Olasunkanmi Mustapha, urged the inmates to change their mentality and stop seeing themselves as helpless because they are in prison.
    “Be like the popular musician Akon. See your being in prison as an opportunity to turn your life around for good. Don’t see yourselves as inferior to those outside,” he said.

  • NBA branch partners Prisons Service to lift Ikoyi Prison

    The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Epe branch and the Nigerian Prison Service (NPS) have agreed to collaborate for solutions to challenges faced by officials and inmates at the Ikoyi Prison, Lagos.

    The association’s Vice chairman, Ademola Koko and the Assistant Controller-General of Ikoyi Prison, Akeem Saliu, stated last Friday during the branch’s Human Rights Committee’s visit to the prison.

    The visit was part of activities marking the association’s inaugural Annual Law Week programme, themed Access to Justice.

    The one-week event will feature a lecture by, among others, Justice of the Supreme Court (JSC) G. A. Oguntade (Retd) in whose honour the event was organised.

    Koko, who is also the chairman of the Human Rights Committee, said the visit would familiarise the association with problems confronting the prison system and would shape its recommendation to Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

    He and the committee’s vice chairperson, FunmiAdeogun, offered the association’s legal assistance for indigent awaiting trial inmates.

    They promised to seek government support for the funding of inmates’ education through full scholarships and enrollment in West African Senior School Certificate (WASSCE), Universities and Tertiary institutions Matriculation Exam (UTME) among others.

    The five-man delegation also made donations of antiseptic soaps, washing liquids and toiletries to the Ikoyi Prison.

    Saliu, who hailed the visitors’ gesture, bemoaned the problems of electricity, funding to purchase drugs, transportation and over population of awaiting trial inmates among others.

    He said that some of the inmates sometimes went without a bath when there was no electricity to pump water, particularly because there was inadequate funds to fuel the generator.

    Saliu noted that the prison population consisted of 478 convicts and 2076 awaiting trial inmates sharing facilities meant for less than 1,000 persons and that “more might still be sent here before the end of the day.”

    Highlighting the problem of underage inmates, he said courts sometimes mistakenly send juveniles to the prison rather than a borstal home and that this was unhealthy for their reformation and development.

    He urged the NBA to seek government’s intervention in replacing or repairing a bus used for transporting inmates which was damaged in an accident during a trip from the Epe High Court.

    Justice Oguntade’s media consultant, Ranti Thomas, who accompanied the delegation, said the Jurist had paid his dues in service to the nation and that holding the Law Week in his honour was a worthy act.

    Other speakers at the Law Week will also examine topics including Legalising professional surety in Nigeria, Legality or otherwise of remand in prison pending perfection of bail or trial, Appraising the Land grabbers Law of Lagos State and the use of NBA stamp or seal.

  • Lagos CJ grants freedom to 20 prison inmates

    Lagos CJ grants freedom to 20 prison inmates

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade Tuesday granted freedom to 20 inmates of the Ikoyi prison awaiting trial.

    The Chief Judge had visited the prison as part of the activities marking the beginning of the 2016/2017 legal year.

    She said they were released on exercise of powers granted her under the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody), Special Provisions Act, Cap C40 2004 Laws of the Federation.
    Justice Atilade said those granted freed were among  a total of 104 names of inmates whose names were submitted by the Prison Decongestion Committee headed by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye for consideration, out of which only 20 are worthy.

    She admonished those released from prison custody “to go and sin no more”.

    She reiterated that prison visit is one of the key pillars of her administration to regularly visit the custodial institutions of Lagos State with a view to granting amnesty to eligible and qualified inmates.

    The Chief Judge however lamented the high number of inmates in awaiting trials in prisons.
    She said: “A number of factors have contributed to the large number of awaiting trial inmates. These include ongoing investigations by police, the time lapse between the issuance of the DPP’s advice and filing of the case in court, operational delays such as transportation from prison to court and lack of legal representation.”

    Since her Inauguration as Chief Judge in 2014, Justice Atilade had granted freedom to a total of 265 prisoners. Thirty-seven inmates were released between September 2014 and September 2015 from Ikoyi and Kirikiri prisons while 228 were also released between September 2015 and September 2016.

    The Deputy Comptroller of Prison (DCP), Ikoyi Prison, Ezugwu Julius, lamented the over population of inmates at the Ikoyi Prison.

    ” Ikoyi prison was built in 1955 with a capacity of 800 inmates. However, our open out today stands at 2,358 inmates with awaiting trial persons numbering 2,037 out of which 321 inmates are convicts,” he said.

    He urged the Chief Judge to help stem the tide of awaiting trial person’s phenomenon and ultimately decongest our prisons’ through speedy conclusion of cases in courts.

    The DCP Julius said those granted freedom have been trained in various skills such as soap making, catering, among others, aimed at making them useful to the society following discharge from custody.