The Acting Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, has pardoned 29 inmates in two medium prisons in the state.
The release of the inmates was ordered by Akeredolu on Tuesday during a routine visit to Olokuta Prison in Akure and Owo Prison in Owo Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking to newsmen, the Acting Chief Judge said that the need to decongest prisons made it imperative to release some inmates who had been in custody for many years without trial.
She said tha 22 inmates were released at the Olokuta Medium Prison while seven inmates got pardon in Owo prison.
According to Akeredolu, 18 of the inmates would be released to a Non-Governmental Organisation for rehabilitation while others got their freedom on the condition that they had overstayed in prison without trial.
She appealed to the state Psychiatric Hospital to attend to the health needs of some of the newly released inmates who are facing psychological problems.