The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, Justice Ekaete Fabian Obot had ordered the release of 44 inmates from the correctional facilities in the state. The freed inmates whom among them are two females, and 42 males were accused of minor crimes, says Justice Obot on Thursday.
Obot observed thoroughly, before deciding that most of the beneficiaries of her clemency had minor offences and had stayed in custody for too long without trial, adding that this was enough punishment for the minor offences they had committed.
The offences were mostly stealing, assault and fighting among others related.
She sighted an example with one Shadrach Hanson, 28-year-old, who had been in custody for over 12 months for stealing his mother's cooking pot.
In her words, “I do not consider it serious enough for you to spend one year and four months in custody. You are hereby released unconditionally, make sure you are of good behaviour and don’t do anything that will make you come back here,” the chief judge ruled.
Also, among the beneficiaries is One Kufre Sylvester alongside many others accused of cultism and conspiracy whose case files could not be traced, Justice Obot upheld that they should be released unconditionally, saying, “Your case files cannot be found and keeping you here will amount to breaching your fundamental rights and it’s on this premise that you are released unconditionally.”
Obot emphasized the importance of the welfare and education of inmates, as well as skills acquisition in all correctional facilities of the state.
She urged the controller of Corrections, Julius Ezegwu, to ensure the full reformation and rehabilitation of inmates in the state.
The CJ vowed to work hand in hand with the state government, knowing that matters of correctional service are now in dire need of assistance in some strategic areas such as good transportation means of inmates to court and other logistics.
Justice Obot said, “I have observed from my visits that there are training facilities for inmates, but it shouldn’t end there. There should also be the establishment of schools so that those within the teenage age range and those willing will be enrolled.
“This will enable them to have a better future. We should not condemn them totally because of the situation they found themselves in. I advocate that, apart from the craft, they should be exposed to secular education.”
The state Controller in his remarks expressed his gratitude to the CJ for her visit and pledged his utmost compliance to the directives given by the Judge.
He also made an appeal to the CJ about the challenges bedevilling the service, such as the poor state of their vehicles, and dilapidated facilities among others.