My manhood infected with rashes
...lost car, house, detained unlawfully for 9 months, freed Kwara inmates recounts ordeal
…as 15 regain freedom
By Kayode Adeoti
For Danjuma Bako, his release from Medium Security Prison, Mandala, Ilorin, Kwara State on Monday after three years incarceration, was a dream come true.
Bako was among the 15 lucky inmates pardoned by the Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Durosinloun Kawu during his visit alongside his lieutenants to the Oke-Kura and Mandala Federal Prison yards.
The visitation came as part of efforts to discongest prisons with 10 inmates freed at Oke-Kura, 5 regaining freedom at Mandala.
The inmates betrayed emotions as some of them burst into tears, rolling on the ground in appreciation to God and the Chief Judge of the State whom they said have facilitated their freedom.
Narrating his ordeal to our reporter, Bako, in an emotional laden voice, said for the period of his incarceration, he suffered hunger, maltreatment and infected with different form of diseases.
He said his manhood has been invaded with rashes, noting that the prison lacked facilities to treat inmates of diseases effectively.
He also lamented losing his father in a ghastly accident while in prison, saying he received news of his death months after the incident happened.
Speaking on the nature of the alleged offence that landed him in prison, the ex- inmate said he impersonated an military officer, and was caught in army uniform.
“At the initial stage of the matter, I had pleaded guilty but the Upper Area Court 1 refused to give judgment, hence, ordering my remand. I impersonated an Army Officer, I did it in Lagos successfully, I didn’t know that my luck will not last in Ilorin. When I was given bail, there was no means of perfecting it because I’ve no one here.
“I lost my job, father and there is no means of contacting any member of my family now because I don’t have idea of where they could be. We ate food that had stone particles for three years.” he narrated.
Also, it was joy unspeakable for Fatai Oriade whose over 9 months detention at Oke-Kura came to abrupt end during the visit.
He could not hold back his tears while recounting what led to his detention, saying he had been denied his fundamental human rights.
According to him, he was charged over N1.6million debt, despite offsetting part of it, the court refused him bail.
He said, “I’m a motor dealer, I had problem with a client’s car and he took me to court but I promised to pay back and I even made some payment. I was released at a time but rearrested and bungled into prison. The complainant had collected my car worth N2million and particulars of 4 bedroom apartment, yet, I was not freed”.
Other discharged inmates at Oke-Kura are; Abubakar Ladan, Bala Bamuyi, Abdulkareem Adebayo, Idris Abubakar, Muhammed Isiaka, Muhammed Bello, Abdullahi Manu, Leki Bai and Musa Sule.
Others at Mandala include; Sanda Muhammed, Felix Isiayah, Hassan Muazu and Marisa Umar.
Some of the offences for which the freed inmates were charged included Criminal Trespass, Attempted Robbery, Belonging to Gang of Thieves and Adultery, while others were brought to court with watery First Information Report that does not disclose any prima vase case against the detainees.
Speaking during the exercise, Justice Kawu said that the visit was not to shortchange the normal criminal trial which requires that an accused person should be given the opportunity of defending himself or calling witnesses.
The jurist noted that the purpose of visit was to act on the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act which provides among others the examination of cases of detainees whose detention is manifestly unlawful or who had spent more than the maximum term prescribed for the offences for which they were charged or accused.
He added that for cases which the detention was manifestly unlawful especially where the facts show that the offences are civil in nature, he has the power to release them.
He stressed further that the visit was in furtherance of commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari who issued letter to State Governors to liaise with the Chief Judges to examine cases of inmates awaiting trial for federal or state offences with a view to freeing those who were held needlessly.
The Chief Judge said that the inmates were freed because their detention was manifestly unlawful.
Justice Kawu urged the freed inmates to stay clear of any criminal activity and behave very well to avoid a repeat of what led to their unlawful detention.
On his part, the state Comptroller of Prison Service, Mr Francis Adebisi said that out 528 inmates at Oke-kura Prison, 368 are awaiting trial, 81 are convicted, 64 are condemned, while seven are lifer.
He added that Mandala Medium Security Prison has the capacity of 150 inmates, but 283 inmates are currently in the facilities out of whom 160 are awaiting trial.
He appreciated the Chief Judge for the visit which he said had shown his passion for administration of criminal justice in the state.