MIMIKO COMMISSIONS AFRICA ‘S FIRST COURT-IN-PRISON

*Laments Delay in Justice System

The Ondo state governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko  has commissioned the first Court to be built in a prison premises under the state’s Rapid Justice System programme, with the commissioning  of High Court  NO. 10, at  the Olokuta Prison, Akure. Governor Mimiko also promised to provide the Prison with a Clinic that would offer basic drugs for free.

The Olokuta Court-in –Prison is the first in the series of the Ondo state programme to cater for the judiciary code named Rapid Justice System.

At the commissioning ceremony which has many dignitaries in attendance, including the Deji of Akure, Oba Adebiyi Adesida , yesterday,  Governor Mimiko said the provision of the court is one of his government’s way of decongesting the prisons.

The Governor mentioned that the Olokuta Prison facility has the capacity for 160 inmates only,  as against the 688 that are currently accommodated in it, adding that with the court now brought within the Prison, justice would be dispensed with promptly .

Eulogising the idea behind the court building which the Governor described as monumental, he said the size of the building does not come into play, rather, the idea behind the provision noting that anytime the history of the nation’s judiciary is being recounted, the initiative would be mentioned.

Dr Mimiko noted that if violent criminals are kept intermittently under remand without the assurance of conclusion of their trials, it might jeopardize the safety of the society, stressing that efforts must be intensified to address the situation.

According to him, his administration has taken measures to quicken dispensation of justice system, assuring that all measures that will further assist the criminal justice would be put in place.

 Governor Mimiko, who noted that the cost of procuring Black Maria and other logistics support involved in the transportation of accused persons and criminals to and from court was enormous, maintained that the court within the premises of the prison would hasten prompt and efficient prosecution and conviction of the accused persons, thereby putting an end to perpetual detention of innocent persons.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi disclosed that bringing the Court to the Prison premises is a step in the right direction adding that the idea was well thought out as one of the steps that could decongest the Prisons

The Court, The CJ said, will decongest the prisons especially as criminal offenders whose offences are not bailable would be promptly addressed. He disclosed that 80 percent of the 688 inmates in the Olokuta Prisons are awaiting trials on Criminal charges.

Speaking earlier, the State’s Prison Comptroller -General, M O Olayiwola gave kudos to the governor for the provision, remarking that Dr Mimiko was the first Governor to visit the prison and bring good tidings since the inception of the State. Before the latest provision, Olayiwola mentioned that the Governor had provided the Prison with two vehicles.