18-year-old girl who gave birth in prison regains freedom

The Ondo State High Court sitting in Olokuta Medium Prison in Akure, on Tuesday, granted bail to detained alleged #ENDSARS protester who gave birth to a baby boy in prison, Kemisola Ogunniyi.

Kemisola who regained her freedom after spending nine months in remand was granted bail in the sum of N10 million and a surety in like sum by Justice Omolara Adejumo who presided over the case.

The teenager who was arrested with three other was standing trial before the Court for allegedly vandalising property during the #ENDSARS protest which took place in Akure, last year October.

They were charged for arson, conspiracy, riotous assembly, stealing and malicious damage.

The young girl gave birth to a baby boy in prison custody last Wednesday, while the state government expressed its readiness to secure her bail.

However, Justice Omolara Adejumo granted the bail application brought before the Court on humanitarian ground, and allow the proper naming of the newborn baby, saying that the defendant had a right to be granted bail.

The judge ruled that the defendant should be bailed with a sum of N10 million with a surety.

Counsel to the defendant, Tope Temokun, while reacting, expressed satisfaction over the release of the young girl from the prison as well as the bail condition.

He said, “she (Ogunniyi) has been released from the prison while the bail condition would be perfected later.”

He further explained that “the N10 million bail condition did not mean that the defendant would pay the money to the court but must have a guarantor who is worth N10milliion with evidence of tax clearance and must be residing within the jurisdiction of the court.”

On the three other defendants, Temokun said their bail application would be moved later, saying ” We can do everything together today (Tuesday).
Tribuneonline