The Chief Judge (CJ) of Akwa Ibom, Justice Ekaette Obot, has freed a total of 55 Inmates across four Correctional Centers in the state.
The Chief Judge freed the inmates who were held captive for several criminal offenses when he paid official visits to correctional centres across the three Senatorial districts of the State.
Our Correspondent reports that the visit which began on Wednesday, March 12 and ended on Friday, March 14, 2025, saw 18 inmates, released on health grounds.
Four inmates regained freedom in Ikot Abasi custodial centre, two inmates benefitted in Eket centre, 11 in Ikot Ekpene centre, while 38 inmates regained their freedom in Uyo Centre.
The chief judge, who went through the case files during a special court session observed that most of the offenders had minor offences and had overstayed in the custodial centres, beyond the period they were supposed to stay, if they had been convicted.
She, however, released some on compassionate and health grounds and lack of diligence prosecution.
The CJ in discharging the inmates in all the centres charged them to be of good behaviour and shun all acts, that might bring them back to the custodial centre.
Obot however expressed displeasure on the number of missing case files while the accused are still in custody with some staying more than the sentence of their crime if convicted.
She charged prosecutors with the need to ensure that no one is denied justice and not infringe on their fundamental human rights.
In his remarks, the Controller of Correctional Centre, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr Frank Okonkwo, thanked the chief judge for her consistent visit to the facilities and the goodwill extended to the custodial centres in the state.
Okonkwo highlighted some of the challenges confronting the centres including; dilapidated facilities and lack of logistics to convey inmates to court.
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