Fayose urges FG to upgrade‎ Ekiti prison

Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose yesterday urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency, upgrade facilities in the prisons across the federation.

The governor made the appeal when he visited the Federal Prisons in Ado-Ekiti to examine the facilities and to also pardon some inmates.

However, the governor could not ensure the release of the inmates as the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, advised that some due process needed to be followed before he can veto their release.

Some wives of the inmates, especially those whose husbands were in prison for crimes of political violence, knelt down and appealed to governor Fayose to release them.

But the governor explained to them that his hands were tied because he had to follow due process and that he would have loved to release all inmates.

He said: “We would pardon some inmates but we have to follow due process. We must have the facts and figures before vetoing their release. We have come to see the facilities in the prison and see how we can help. We have seen the facilities here and we are not happy.

“The buildings here houses almost 200 people, but whatever their offences, they are still entitled to good condition of living.

“We therefore appeal to the Federal Government to upgrade the facilities available for prison inmates in the state here.

The walls surrounding the prison are vulnerable, that was why we experienced the last prison break, but that would not happen again.

“As a state government, we will support the prison with an additional building, a borehole, health facilities and toilet facilities.

“We appeal to the government to live up to their responsibilities.

“I also appeal to the prison inmates, you must be of good ‎conduct so they can get pardon‎‎. Also make sure that you repent truly.”