The case of young Ade who recently got his freedom restored through the Probono representation of the Rehab foundation after spending 10 months in Ife prison awaiting trial on assault, is touching.

Ade Johnson, (fictitious names), 22 years old, narrated how he left Lagos to Osun state in early 2018 to seek greener pastures and chart a course for his future. He started out as a bricklayer, with his friend, who gave him shelter in his father’s house.

Unfortunately, around October, while on one of their fieldworks, a fight broke out between his friend and another person (the complainant in this matter) and they were arrested and charged to court for assault and a false charge of stealing.

Ade and his friend were granted bail by the learned magistrate, while his friend successfully perfected his bail, (and later jumped bail) Ade couldn’t and was remanded in prison.

The case suffered several obstacle ranging from the unwillingness of the Police prosecutor to separate the charge to bear the name the of Ade (since the first accused jumped bail) to the failure of the prison officials most times to bring the accused from prison custody to attend his trial.

The Prosecution coming to terms with the reality of the case and lack of evidence to proof it case had no choice than to withdraw the charge against the second accused person and the case against him was subsequently struck out.

Plans are currently being made to rehabilitate Ade.