Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, has discharged 56 inmates from two custodial centres in the FCT Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
According to a statement released on Thursday in Abuja by Mr. Samson Duza, the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command, 30 inmates were released from Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, while 26 others were discharged from Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
During the case review at Kuje Custodial Centre, the Chief Judge discharged five inmates, with two awaiting-trial inmates granted bail. Three convicted inmates had their fines paid by civil society organizations including the Brekete family and Legend Golden Care Foundation.
Shiites Members' Case Verdict
In a separate case on the same day at Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Justice Belgore delivered a significant judgment concerning members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as Shiites.
Out of 58 accused members, 25 individuals, including one female, were discharged and acquitted, while the remaining 33 defendants were found guilty and convicted. Sentencing for the convicted individuals has been scheduled for next week.
At Suleja Custodial Centre, a total of 102 cases were reviewed, resulting in the discharge of 26 inmates. Among those discharged, five were convicted inmates, while 21 were awaiting trial.
The Chief Judge demonstrated compassion by personally paying the transportation fare for one inmate and providing compensation of N100,000 for another inmate.
Controller of Corrections in charge of FCT Command, Olatunbosun Ajibogun, expressed appreciation to the Judge and his entourage for their visit and continuous commitment to decongesting custodial centres. He assured them of his unreserved support and cooperation to maintain a functional correctional system.
This jail delivery exercise forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Correctional Service and key stakeholders in the criminal justice system to ensure timely dispensation of justice and address the issue of prison overcrowding in Nigeria.
