Prison decongestion: Kogi CJ releases 3 inmates

By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.

Acting Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi has granted unconditionally released to three out of the 209 Awaiting Trial inmates from at the Medium Security Correctional Centre in Kabba.

Justice Majebi ordered the release while reviewing warrants of the 209 Awaiting Trial Inmates in the facility on Tuesday as part of his scheduled decongestion visit to six custodial centres in the state.

One of the released inmates, Mustapha Ibrahim, charged with alleged criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating and intimidation was released after spending four months in custody.

The Chief Judge also freed Obeh Jamiu Ozovehe standing trial for Culpable Homicide, based on advice by the Ministry of Justice, following investigation and recommendation from the office of the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

The third, Idris Mohammed, who was arrested and charged with Armed Robbery was also granted unconditional release for lack of evidence to prosecute him in the law court.

The Chief Judge also ordered that Peter Adeiza Onsachi, arrested in Okene for Reasonable suspicion of culpable homicide, causing miscarriage, impersonation and public nuisance be transferred to Okene centre for his trial at Okene High Court.

Justice Majebi charged the released inmates to go home and exhibit good behaviour in their various communities and avoid acts that run contrary to the laws of the land.

He urged the remaining inmates whose cases were at various stages of trial to be of good conduct while in custody assuring that before long, their cases would be reviewed and “Those who should not be here would be released’’

The Acting Chief judge advised all Magistrates and judicial officers to always ensure that they were fully acquainted with the of cases they handled before the visit.

He warned the officials of Kabba Correctional Centre against keeping accused persons without proper authority, to avoid legal actions.

Justice Majebi commended Governor Yahaya Bello for the care and support often rendered to the Judiciary in the state.

Shuaibu Ishaku, Officer-in-Charge of the Kabba Correctional facility, commended the Acting Chief Judge and Judicial officers in the state for their efforts at decongesting the custodial centres.

He disclosed that the Kabba Medium Security Custodial Centre with capacity for 200, currently accommodates a total of 274 inmates due to flooding that ravaged the Koton-Karfe facility.

The Nigerian Pilot reports that of the 274 inmates, 65 were convicts while 209 were in custody, standing their trial in various courts within the Judicial Division. (Ends)