700 inmates spend Xmas in prison over N5000 bail

The hope of at least 700 inmates, who expected reprieve to come their way during a pre-planned Christmas party, has been dashed.

The inmates, imprisoned inside the Medium Prison Kirikiri, Lagos State, were said to have been granted bail, but many of them still remained imprisoned due to inability to muster between N5000 and N10, 000 for their bail.

These inmates are said to have committed petty crimes. At least 15 churches and nongovernmental organisations planned the Christmas bash for the inmates.

When the news filtered out to the inmates, there was an air of expectancy among them. This mood had however become bleak after the organisers said there was no money to go through with the party.

The inmates were disappointed at the missed opportunity of several pardons that would have come their way, if the party had held.

A prison source said: “It was expected that during the party, churches, NGOs and stakeholders would have taken the bails of such inmates and pay the N5000 and N10, 000. There are so many of them inside Medium Prison. Close to N700 inmates. They have been granted bail, but couldn’t afford the N5000 and N10, 000, condition. Some of them had been there for long because of this amount. It would have been a mass pardon.”

Another source said that every year, churches and NGOs used to hold Christmas party for the inmates. The years’ was however supposed to be special because churches and NGOs were expected to take the bail of inmates who committed petty crimes and had been granted bail, but didn’t have the money. Governor of Lagos State was also expected to grace the canceled party.

“About 700 were given bail and the bail is just between 5000 and N10, 000. Some of them had been there for years. In fact, the prison authority, for the first time, was going to take part in the party. The party was supposed to take place on December 9, 2015, but shockingly, there was no enough money from the prison, churches and NGOs.

“It was a black Xmas for the inmates. Only one or two churches were able to donate money towards the party. The inmates were excited, but now, their mood is miserable. Even Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and other stakeholders were expected. We were sure Ambode would have granted more inmates pardon,” said the source.

It was gathered that the Medium Prison was supposed to take 800, but now has tripled it holding capacity.  The numbers of inmates now are 2,448.

Reacting to the situation, Nigerian Prison Services Spokesman, Enobore Francis said: “Yes, bail conditions are given by the court. It’s not within our power or jurisdiction to determine how much or the bail conditions that should be given to inmates for certain crimes. Our own is to ensure the inmates are safe.  Once an inmate meets the bail conditions, we released the person. If the inmate fails to meet it, it’s not in our power to do anything. Even if the bail condition is N5; it’s not within our power to say the money is small and so ask the inmate to go home. It’s an issue within the judiciary.”