The Chief Judge (CJ) of the State of Osun Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, has pardon a total of 16 inmates at both Ilesa and Ile-Ife prisons.

The Chief Judge who was on prison visit, as part of activities marking the commencement of 2014/2015 Legal Year in the State, freed the inmates at the Ilesa and Ile-Ife Prisons on Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th September 2014 respectively.

Some of the inmates set free by the Hon. Chief Judge include: Dauda Karimu, 29, Bamidele Balogun, 42, Seun Alatise, 31, Dayo Oluwafemi, 35, Usman Shabiu 31, Victor James 23, Femi Bamidele 28, Ojo James, 38 and Kabiru Jimoh 34, from Ilesa Prison.

Those released from Ile-Ife prison where Augustine Friday 39,Oladipupo Sunday 26, Hassan Bamigbade 31, Babatunde Gbela 40, Adewale Omolade Yinka 32, Adegoke Elijah 26, and Muritala Tope 25.

The freed inmates were those who had spent four years and above as well as those who had suffered ill health. Also pardoned were those that were 60 years old and above.

Most of the released inmates were either awaiting trial or those whose case files could not be traced.

Also those who had stayed in the prison for four years and above, having been not tried or found guilty of the offences they were alleged to have committed, were also released.

The offences preferred against the freed inmates ranged from armed robbery and murder to stealing, and other simple offences.

According to the Hon. Chief Judge, the freed inmates have been denied trial long enough and should therefore not be kept in prison custody indefinitely.

Their Lordship, Hon. Justice Oyejide Falola and Kudirat Akano, both of Osun State High Court were also part of the Hon. Chief Judge's team urged stakeholders involved in the dispensation of Justice to always endeavour to do justice to the accused persons following due process.

The Hon. Chief Judge however, advised the freed inmates to turn away from crime and to sin no more.