The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, has ordered the release of 44 inmates, including two females, across the correctional facilities in the three senatorial districts of the state.
The move is part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities in the state.
Six of the inmates regained freedom in Ikot Abasi centre, five in Eket custodial centre, 11 were freed in Ikot Ekpene centre while 24 inmates, including two females, were pardoned in Uyo custodial centre.
The inmates regained freedom during the first inspection visit of the chief judge to the correctional centres.
Judge Obot noted that the majority of the beneficiaries had minor offenses and had been detained without being given the opportunity to face charges for an excessive amount of time during his review of all the case files on Thursday in the Uyo center’s correctional chapel.
For humanitarian and medical reasons, a few other prisoners were also freed.
Their case files listed an array of offenses, including fighting, assault, and theft of palm fruits and cassava.
One Otuekong Essien accused of stealing cassava tubers, who had stayed up to four months in custody and suffered from perforated ulcer and appendicitis, as certified by the custodial doctor, was released on health grounds at the Ikot Abasi centre.
A 28-year-old Shadrach Hanson, who had spent over one year in custody for stealing his mother’s cooking pot, was also set free.
For Kufre Sylvester and many others accused of cultism and conspiracy, their case files could not be found.
Ruling on their matters, the CJ said, “Your case files cannot be found and keeping you here will amount to the breach of your fundamental rights. It’s on this premise that you are released unconditionally.”
Justice Obot said as much as she would love the correctional facilities to be decongested, she would not release anyone who had committed violent and major crimes.
She urged the state Controller of Corrections, Julius Ezegwu, to ensure full reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, saying that apart from helping them to acquire skills, they should be exposed to education.
She also called for the establishment of schools within the correctional centres and promised to communicate such to Governor Umo Eno.
