Lagos State Government through Ministry of Justice, has began a two-day sensitisation program on the benefits of plea and sentence bargain for inmates in Ikoyi, Kirikiri, medium and maximum Prisons in the state.

According to Director of Public Prosecution, Titilayo Shitta-bey, plea bargain was a criminal initiative that permited defendants to plead guilty and get a reduced charge for a more severe sentence.

Shitta-bey said section 75 and 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015 granted inmates access to plea bargain.

He spoke through a deputy director in the Directorate, Oluwafemi Adenike, saying the sections of the law helped defendants reduce time spent in custody while awaiting trial and also decongest the prisons.

Shitta-bey said Attorney-General of the State determined beneficiaries of plea bargain based on recommendations given by a Plea-Bargain Committee set up by the Directorate of Public Prosecution.

The Director urged the inmates to beware of fraudulent lawyers who demand for money before filing application for plea bargain on behalf of defendants, saying it was free and accessible to all as contained in the Criminal Law.

While receiving the counsel at the Ikoyi prison, the Deputy controller of prison, Tolu Ogunsakin appreciated the Lagos State Government initiative towards decongesting the prisons and quickening the trial process for inmates with pending cases in Courts.

Ogunsakin urged the government to explore other ways of reducing congestion in Courts and Prisons through Parol System and Community Service Sentencing.