August 20, (THEWILL) – A Chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ogun state, Olufemi Ajadi, has extended a helping hand to four individuals incarcerated at the Ibara Correctional Centre in Abeokuta, leading to their freedom.
Ajadi’s act of compassion, according to a statement on Sunday, saw the release of four convicts: Damilola Opebi, Oyebolu Shina, Dare Lawal, and Oluwasegun Ayobami, who were eligible for freedom through payment of fines but were unable to raise the fine.
Ajadi said he got to know about the bail conditions of the inmates on July 20, 2023, when he went to the Ibara Correctional Centre to donate gifts and food items to the inmates, as part of his birthday celebration and promised to assist them secure freedom.
Ajadi, who was the gubernatorial candidate of the NNPP in Ogun State in the recently concluded 2023 general elections, in an unexpected gesture, has stirred both appreciation and controversy within the community and the political landscape.
It marks a unique instance where a political figure, particularly a gubernatorial candidate, has directly intervened in the lives of individuals entangled in the criminal justice system.
Damilola Opebi, Oyebolu Shina, Dare Lawal, and Oluwasegun Ayobami had been serving sentences in the Ibara Correctional Centre, Abeokuta, awaiting the legal processes that could potentially grant them their freedom.
Ajadi, who had been told by his legal team led by Isaac Dale Izunya about the issues facing the criminal justice system, took it upon himself to ensure that these individuals were not left languishing in incarceration due to their inability to pay fines.
According to him, “I am not an advocate for criminal and illegal activities but I believe that the penalties for the less criminal offenders could be paid for after the wrongdoers have sobered and promised to desist from such crimes.”
The move has sparked a debate among Ogun State residents and political observers. While some applauded Ajadi for his empathy and willingness to address the challenges within the Correctional system, others questioned the motivation behind this act, suggesting political grandstanding in the wake of a closely contested election.
In response to the controversy, Ajadi’s legal team, led by Barrister Isaac Izunya, in a statement on Sunday, emphasised their client’s commitment to criminal justice reform and a fairer legal system.
Izunya asserted that this gesture was an embodiment of Ajadi’s vision for a more just and compassionate society, irrespective of political considerations.
According to Izunya, “The bailing of the four convicts by Olufemi Ajadi has undoubtedly added a new dimension to the political landscape in Ogun State.”
He said the released inmates have promised to be of good behaviour and thanked Ajadi for his humanitarian gesture.
About the Author
AYO ESAN, has been actively reporting and analyzing political events for different newspapers for over 18 years. He has also successfully covered national and state elections in Nigeria since the inception of this democracy in 1999.
