Nineteen inmates regain freedom as Abia Chief Judge embarks on gaol delivery

The Abia State Chief Judge, Hon justice Lilian Abai has granted total freedom to five inmates that have been awaiting trials and granted bail to another fourteen inmates at the Nigerian correctional center Umuahia.

Announcing the privilege during a gaol delivery exercise at the Correctional center, the Chief Judge pointed out 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.

While stating that the exercise is part of her efforts to decongest Correctional Centres, She further revealed that the case files of some of those released were no way to be found, while some were released on health grounds.

Hon 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.

She charged the magistrates to be diligent in their duties inorder to ensure that the delay in quick dispensation of justice is reduced to the barest minimum.

The Chief Judge however cautioned the released Inmates to turn a new leaf and be law abiding citizens.

Speaking shortly after the exercise, the Vice chairman Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Umuahia Branch who is also the chairman of the Human Rights Commission Umuahia, Uche Igwe appreciated the chief Judge for demonstrating deep passion in course of the exercise and
called for more regularity of the exercise to decongest Correctional Centres as obtained in the developed Countries.