48 Prisoners pass GCE

The inmates

Despite their predicament and condition, 48 awaiting trial inmates of Ikoyi prisons recently passed the November/December 2013 General Certificate of Examination (GCE) convincingly.

The Deputy Controller of Prisons, Mr. Emmanuel Bamidele, disclosed this on Monday during a visit to the place by members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikeja Branch.

SHOWBIZPLUSng gathered that NBA members were at the prison to present gifts to the inmates as part of activities marking the 2014 Law Week.

He said the 48 were among the 102 inmates that wrote the examination.

“When they finally regained their freedom, they can seek admission into any university of their choice, since they are awaiting trial,” deputy controller said.

He explained that one key objective of the “Rehabilitation, Restoration and Reintegration” (3Rs) programme of the Prison is to provide education opportunities for the inmates so that they can be useful to themselves and the society whenever they regained freedom.

He disclosed that out of 1,761 inmates in the prison, 186 are convicted while 1,575 are awaiting trial for upwards of between five and 13 years.

The NBA chairman, Mr. Monday Ubani, raised the hope of the inmates when he disclosed that the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, would visit the prison soon to release awaiting trial inmates.

Ubani, who said the NBA is in contact with the chief judge and the Ministry of Justice disclosed that names of those to be released are being compiled.

“Believe me, this travail would soon be over for some of you when the Chief Judge visits in May,” he said.

The Nation