Justice Ekaette Fabian-Obot, the chief judge of Akwa Ibom State, has mandated the release of 55 inmates from the state’s three custodial centers.  ,
Four of the pardoned prisoners were released from Ikot Abasi, two from Eket, and eleven from Ikot-Ekpene, while 38 were freed from the Uyo custody center, according to a breakdown of the prisoners.
Justice Fabian-Obot’s official visits to the custodial facilities in the three senatorial districts, which started on Wednesday and ended on Friday, were the prisoners’ release.
The Chief Judge examined the inmates’ case files during a special session and found that the majority of them had only committed minor offenses and spent more time in jail than the minimum sentence if found guilty.
Therefore, she let some people go on compassionate and healthy grounds, while others did so because their cases didn’t go through with due diligence.
Friday Okoro, one of the released prisoners at the Ikot-Ekpene custodial facility, had been incarcerated for more than three years without going on trial for stealing his cousin’s coconuts.
Justice Fabian-Obot urged the detained prisoners to turn their heads and refrain from any acts that might re-engage them.
Read more about the court’s decision to reject Bello Turji’s bail application.
While the accused remained in custody, the Chief Judge lamented the number of case files that were missing.
She instructed the prosecution to make sure no one was denied justice.
Justice Fabian-Obot’s gesture was appreciated by Frank Okonkwo, the state’s controller of the correctional system.
Source: Channels TV
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