34 prisoners are released by the Ekiti CJ to help with jail congestion.

The Ekiti State Chief Judge, Justice John Adeyeye, released 34 inmates who were awaiting trial on Thursday as part of attempts to decongest the detention facilities while admonishing them that retribution awaited anyone who committed crime.

On the recommendation of the Director of Public Prosecutions, nine of them were released since they had no case to answer, while 22 were released unconditionally and 22 others were released on bail.

"Go and sin no more," Adeyeye admonished the freed prisoners, warning them that "the harsh hand of the law was awaiting anyone discovered provoking public commotion in the state."

When the CJ visited the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Ado Ekiti, they were among the 508 cases that were assessed.

However, Adeyeye urged the DPP, the police, and other criminal justice system players to "timely arraign and assemble witnesses in court will help in decongesting our jails."

The CJ asked the magistrates, police, and other stakeholders to be aware of the latest legal developments and to stop using antiquated legal jargon.

When thanking the CJ and his entourage for their visit, the Comptroller of the Correctional Center, Joseph Ojo, was represented by the Assistant Comptroller of the Center, O. Atinaro. Ojo advocated more for non-custodial sentences like community service, saying that "if the practise is fully utilised, our custodial centres would be less congested."