Lagos—An Ikeja High Court in Lagos, yesterday, adjourned a suit filed by 70 awaiting trial inmates against the Lagos State Government over delay in their trial to December 21.

The suit was recently filed by Detainees and Indigent Help Centre, a non-governmental organisation, NGO, on behalf of one Tunde Akinsepe and 69 other inmates of Ikoyi Prisons.

The plaintiffs filed the suit pursuant to Section 36 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees the right to fair hearing and trial within a reasonable time.

Attorney-General of Lagos State, the state director of public prosecutions and the state Commissioner of Police, are joined as defendants in the suit with reference number ID/615M/10.

At the hearing, counsel to the plaintiffs, Kunle Omotimirin, told the court that some of the detainees have spent over nine years in detention without being charged with any known offence.

Omotimirin said this was a gross violation of their fundamental rights to fair hearing and trial within reasonable time, and prayed the court to release them.

Mr. Femi Adamson, from the office of the Attorney-General of Lagos State, promised that they would collaborate with the NGO to ensure that the case is given the desired priority.

Presiding judge, Justice Lateefat Okunnu, had earlier urged the NGO to narrow down the list so that the court would be able to tackle the rights cases.

Okunnu frowned at the unnecessary delay in trying cases, and implored parties to collaborate in order to resolve the matter on time.