The Chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Ogun state, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has shown kindness to 4 inmates at Ibara Correctional Center in Abeokuta by paying their fine to secure their release.
The act of compassion was a promise kept by the NNPP Guber candidate when he visited the correctional center last month during his birthday celebration.
The lucky inmates are Damilola Opebi, Oyebolu Shina, Dare Lawal, and Oluwasegun Ayobami, who should have been released through payment of fines but were unable to raise the money.
Ambassador Oguntoyinbo disclosed yesterday that his attention was called to 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 he promised to assist them to get freedom.
The grassroots politician and philanthropist , who was the gubernatorial candidate of the NNPP Ogun State in last general elections, in an unexpected gesture, has stirred appreciation within the political community and the general public.
It is a rear instance where a political figure, particularly a gubernatorial candidate, has directly intervened in the lives of individuals entangled in the criminal justice system of the state.
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 have granted them their freedom.
Ambassador Oguntoyinbo, who had been briefed 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.
He explained that, “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.”