Kogi Chief Judge Frees 13 Inmates, Orders Speedy Trials

Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, has released 13 awaiting trial inmates during a prison decongestion exercise across the state’s six custodial centres, while calling for strict adherence to the administration of criminal justice law and end to unnecessary delays in criminal proceedings.

Justice Majebi, who led a team of justice sector stakeholders on visits to correctional centres in Koton-Karfi, Kabba, Okene, Idah, Ankpa and Dekina, stressed that the integrity and credibility of the judiciary depend largely on the commitment of all actors in the justice delivery system.

He noted that the exercise was aimed at ensuring that no citizen is unlawfully deprived of liberty and that the rights of inmates are protected in accordance with the Constitution and other extant laws. Out of the 206 awaiting trial inmates reviewed during the exercise, 13 were freed.

Ten inmates secured unconditional release at the Koton-Karfi Medium Security Custodial Centre after their detention was found to be unlawful or unnecessarily prolonged. Three others regained freedom in Kabba through the normal court process after a Magistrate delivered judgments in their cases.