Three inmates awaiting trial at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area, have been set free by the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice OnochieAnyachebelu as he visited the facility in continuation of his jail delivery exercise.
The exercise, which is part of activities lined up to mark the 2021/2022 Legal year, commenced at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Onitsha, and will be extended to Nnewi and Awka facilities on later dates.
Speaking to the ABS after Court session at the Ekwulobia facility, Justice Anyachebelu said the Court relied on its power to forgive, and the impossibility of continuing prosecution to set the inmates free.
He explained that the exercise is part of efforts at reducing sufferings of inmates by giving priorities to those who have spent long time in detention, the aged and women in detention, inmates with medical challenges, juveniles, and at some intervals, cases lawyers have interests in.
On their parts, the Welfare Officer at the Ekwulobia facility, Pastor Eke Eke, and office in charge of Legal services at the Nigerian Correctional Service, Mr Kingsley Abiakam described the visit as encouraging, and in line with government resolve to decongest the facility at intervals, especially now that bringing inmates to Court for access to justice is being hampered by pervasive security challenges.
They noted that Nigerian Correctional Service centres are meant to reform, rehabilitate and reintegrate those who have failed the society, urging the freed and other inmates to turn a new leaf.
Correspondent, Joseph Egbeocha reports that over forty cases bordering on murder, armed robbery, threats of violence, among others were entertained at the facility by Chief Justice Anyachebelu and other Judges from Aguata and Orumba South Judicial Divisions, with most of the cases adjourned to earlier dates for continuation at regular Courts.
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