The Chief Justice 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.

Six of the inmates regained freedom in the Ikot Abasi centre, five in the Eket custodial centre, and 11 were freed in the Ikot Ekpene centre, while 24 inmates, including two females, were pardoned in the Uyo custodial centre.

The inmates were freed during the CJ’s 2024  first inspection visit to the correctional centres in the state.

Obot, who went through all the case files at the Correctional Chapel in the Uyo Centre on Thursday, observed that most of the beneficiaries 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 range from stealing palm fruits, and cassava, and assault to beating and fighting, among others.

Others were released on compassionate and health grounds

One Otuekong Essien accused of stealing cassava tubers who had stayed up to four months in custody suffered from perforated ulcers and appendicitis, as certified by the custodial doctor, and was released on health grounds at the Ikot Abasi Centre.

28-year-old Shadrach Hanson, who had spent over one year in custody for stealing his mother’s cooking pot, was also set free.

“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.

For Kufre Sylvester and many others accused of cultism and conspiracy whose case files could not be found and who had spent over two years in jail, 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 noted that, though she would love the correctional facilities to be decongested, she would not release anyone who had committed violent and major crimes to continue unleashing mayhem on society, as she would allow justice to take its full course.

She charged the State Controller of Corrections, Julius Ezegwu, with ensuring the full reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, saying that apart from giving them skill acquisitions, they should be exposed to education.

Obot, therefore, called for the establishment of schools within the correctional centres so that those within the teenage age range or young adults can be enrolled for a better future.

She said she would communicate with the governor, Umo  Eno, knowing that matters of correctional service are now on the concurrent list to assist the centres in possible areas such as vehicles to take inmates to court and for other logistics.

“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.” Justice Obot noted.

The State Controller, Julius Ezugwu, in his remarks, thanked the CJ for her visit to the facilities and the goodwill she has extended thus far.

He highlighted some of the challenges bedevilling them, including dilapidated facilities and vehicles to take inmates to court, as well as other issues and thanked the governor for his support.

PUNCH