Amosun weeps over conditions of prisoners in Ogun
(Nigeria) Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State on Thursday
broke into tears at the pitiable sight of inmates at Oba prison in Abeokuta.
Amosun, who had earlier granted amnesty to 15 inmates at
Ibara prison also in Abeokuta, could not hold back his emotions at Oba prison
over what he described as the ``inhuman
condition" to which the inmates were subjected.
The governor was informed that majority of the 492 inmates
on awaiting trial list at the prison had spent between four and seven years in
jail.
He ordered immediate medical attention for the inmates with
critical medical conditions and directed that others should be taken to the
hospital.
While conceding that prison services was under the control
of the Federal Government, Amosun said it would be irresponsible of any leader
to neglect the conditions of prison inmates.
He expressed dismay at the deplorable state of prisons
saying it would not enhance rehabilitation of inmates.
``I have come to share today with them and see if I can
commit death sentences passed on some of them to life imprisonment based on the
recommendations from relevant quarters. I
think it is a big shame and I feel so ashamed really that I am a governor in
this kind of condition that I have seen.
It is clear that these people are traumatised and
dehumanised under this very appalling condition. The condition here is like
sending someone to an early grave," he said and promised to pay regular
visits to prisons.
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