By Ibironke Ariyo
As part of ongoing efforts to enhance justice delivery and reduce overcrowding in correctional centres, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has authorized the release of 56 inmates from custodial centres in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Mr. Samson Duza, Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command.
According to Duza, the released inmates include 30 from the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre and 26 from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. During a visit to the Kuje facility, Justice Baba-Yusuf discharged five individuals—two of whom were granted bail, while the fines for three convicted inmates were settled by charitable organizations including the Brekete Family and Legend Golden Care Foundation.
In a separate development at the same facility, Justice Belgore delivered a landmark ruling involving members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as Shiites. Out of 58 individuals facing trial, 25—including one woman—were discharged and acquitted, while 33 were convicted. Sentencing for those convicted is scheduled for next week.
At the Suleja custodial centre, a total of 102 cases were reviewed. Twenty-six inmates were released, comprising five convicted individuals and 21 awaiting trial.
Demonstrating further goodwill, the FCT Chief Judge provided transportation funds and compensation totaling N100,000 to assist two discharged inmates.
In his remarks, Controller of Corrections for the FCT, Olatunbosun Ajibogun, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for its continued efforts in decongesting correctional centres. He pledged the command’s ongoing support for justice sector reforms and rehabilitation initiatives.
The jail delivery exercise is a collaborative measure by the NCoS and justice sector stakeholders aimed at promoting timely legal proceedings, enhancing prison conditions, and safeguarding the rights of inmates awaiting trial.
