As part of efforts to decongest the Correctional Centers across the state, the Abia State Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, has granted freedom to five awaiting trials inmates and bail to fourteen inmates at the Nigerian Correctional Center Umuahia.
In a goal delivery at the Correctional Center, the Chief Judge noted that some of the inmates released have spent more than six years in prison while their accusers could not produce any witness against them within the period of their trials.
She further revealed that case files of some were nowhere to be found, while some were released on health grounds.
Justice Abai ordered the Chief Magistrates in charge of Ikwuano and Umuahia South Magisterial Districts to be sitting at the Correctional Center on scheduled dates, at least once every week in order to ease off the logistics challenges of the prison officers in bringing the inmates to court as well as be diligent in the discharge of their duties.
The Chief Judge equally cautioned the released Inmates to turn a new leaf and be law abiding citizens as there might not be such opportunities for them if involved in any crime in future.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, the Vice Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Umuahia Branch who is also the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission Umuahia, Mr. Uche Igwe described the exercise as part of the statutory duties of the Chief Judge and thanked God and the Chief Judge for the huge success of the function.
Our Judiciary Correspondent reports that the GAOL DELIVERY was attended by Judges, Magistrates, members of the Bar, Representatives of the Police, among other Stakeholders in the dispensation of justice.
