The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Fabian-Obot, on Thursday ordered the release of 37 inmates from custodial centres across the state, citing prolonged detention and lack of diligent prosecution.
The directive was issued virtually during her routine inspection of correctional facilities in Ikot Abasi, Eket, and Ikot-Ekpene.
The ongoing inspection, which began on Monday, is expected to end next Tuesday with a visit to the Uyo custodial centre.
Gists9ja understands that of the 37 inmates released, eight were granted freedom on health grounds, while 29 were discharged on compassionate grounds and for want of prosecution.
A breakdown showed that two inmates were freed from Ikot Abasi, eight from Eket, and 27 from Ikot-Ekpene custodial centre.
Speaking during court sessions held within the facilities, the Chief Judge condemned the practice of keeping suspects in custody for years without trial.
“I release you unconditionally because it is unconstitutional to keep you for too long without trial,” she said after reviewing several case files.
She further told the freed inmates, “Most of the charges are trumped up; some lack prosecution. Therefore, go home, be of good behaviour and don’t engage in any acts that will bring you back again.”
Among those released was 18-year-old Charity Augustine, who had spent over a year in custody on a four-count charge of stealing.
Justice Fabian-Obot said she considered Augustine’s age and the nature of the alleged offence, stealing garri, in granting her freedom on compassionate grounds.
The teenager was, however, placed on a six-month probation, with an officer assigned to monitor her conduct.
Also freed were two convicts at the Ikot Abasi custodial centre, Aniekan John and Ndifreke Koffi, who were released before completing their sentences.
They were directed to report to the facility every three months as part of measures to ensure good behaviour.
The exercise also saw the release of several suspects who had been awaiting trial for more than three years over minor offences such as fighting, assault, and stealing farm produce. Some individuals arrested during the EndSARS protests were also among those freed.
The Chief Judge urged legal practitioners and law enforcement officers to be more diligent in handling cases to prevent unnecessary delays that contribute to congestion in correctional centres.
She also called for support mechanisms to help reintegrate released inmates, warning against abandoning them after release.
According to her, provisions should be made to transport them back to their homes to avoid leaving them stranded.
Earlier, officers in charge of the custodial centres decried the poor state of facilities and the increasing inmate population.
At the Ikot-Ekpene custodial centre, the Deputy Controller of Corrections, Boniface Momoh, revealed that the facility, originally designed for 400 inmates, currently houses over 700.
He listed challenges facing the centre to include inadequate water supply and lack of operational vehicles, worsened by the high cost of fuel.
Momoh appealed to the Chief Judge to escalate the issues to the state government, urging intervention by Umo Eno to address the deteriorating conditions in custodial centres.
Meanwhile, Gists9ja earlier reported that Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State has granted state pardon to 12 convicted inmates as part of efforts to promote compassion, reconciliation, and social reintegration.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Bello Abdulkadir Fanini.
