The Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Elvis Anegu Ngene, has freed 11 inmates and reviewed 18 cases during a jail delivery exercise aimed at decongesting custodial centres and promoting speedy justice in the state.
The exercise, conducted across the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakaliki, and the Afikpo Custodial Centre, was carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Ebonyi State Command.
Justice Ngene, accompanied by other judges, reviewed the cases of inmates awaiting trial in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
At the end of the exercise, four inmates were discharged, seven were granted bail, six were remanded, while the case of one sick inmate was referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further legal action.
The exercise was attended by the Ebonyi State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Uruchi Odoh, officials of the Ministry of Justice, the Legal Aid Council, pro bono lawyers from the Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Centre, and other legal practitioners who provided legal representation for indigent inmates.
The Controller of Corrections, Ebonyi State Command, CC Igwugwu Chika Angela, received the judicial delegation alongside officers in charge of the Abakaliki and Afikpo custodial centres.
Speaking after the exercise, Angela described the initiative as a demonstration of a justice system that prioritises humanity.
She said every deserving inmate discharged or granted bail represented “the triumph of justice, compassion and the rule of law,” adding that the exercise not only decongests custodial centres but also restores hope and preserves human dignity.
“Every deserving inmate discharged or granted bail today represents the triumph of justice, compassion and the rule of law.
“Jail delivery exercises go beyond custodial centre decongestion; they restore hope, preserve human dignity and strengthen public confidence in our criminal justice system,” she said.
The Controller said the exercise reflected the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, which provide legal frameworks for custodial centre decongestion and offender rehabilitation.
She commended the judiciary, the Ministry of Justice, the Legal Aid Council, pro bono lawyers and correctional officers for their collaboration in strengthening justice delivery in the state.
“This exercise demonstrates what is possible when the judiciary, correctional service, the Ministry of Justice and other stakeholders work together to ensure timely access to justice.
“It also offers deserving inmates a fresh opportunity to rebuild their lives as responsible and productive citizens,” she added.
Angela also urged the discharged inmates and those granted bail to be law-abiding, shun crime and become productive members of society.
The Nigerian Correctional Service said the jail delivery exercise reaffirmed the commitment of justice sector stakeholders in Ebonyi State to improving access to justice, protecting the rights of inmates and enhancing the efficiency of the criminal justice system.
