The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, granted conditional pardon to 14 Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre inmates yesterday, who had overstayed in the centre while awaiting trial.
Our correspondent reports that six of the freed inmates were released on health grounds, as they were terminally sick, while others had overstayed in the centre without their case files being visited or taken to court.
Obot, who freed the inmates after reviewing their case files, mentioned that their cases, as presented by the Doctor in charge of the centre, Dr Christian Etukudo, were at terminal stages.
The chief judge expressed displeasure with the relevant authorities for keeping inmates for up to three years without being charged in court.
During the visit to the centre, Obot donated drugs and toiletries worth thousands of naira to the correctional centre to help cater to the inmates and the sanity of the custodial centre.
One of the pathetic cases at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre was that of a 15-year-old orphan who was sexually abused several times by her master. She ran away but was charged with stealing.
The chief judge released the girl and directed that she be kept at a government home facility for orphans to receive proper care.
Apart from the six inmates released on health grounds, the chief judge also released Emediong Friday, who had been in the custodial centre for five years without being charged in court.
In her judgment, the chief judge said, “This man has been in custody for five years without any charge against him, and the prosecutor has not given any reason why he should remain in custody. He is hereby released unconditionally and advised to be of good behaviour.”
Other inmates freed from the Ikot Ekpene correctional centre were Promise Udeme, Aniekan Okonna, Abraham Bassey, Emediong Ben, Nyakno Dickson, and Nkereuwem Dan.
The chief judge urged the freed inmates to turn over a new leaf, engage in productive ventures, and stay away from crimes, as they might not be lucky to have another chance.
The chief judge urged the police always to respect people’s fundamental rights and avoid keeping suspects in custody without charging them in court.
In his remarks, the Controller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr Julius Ezugwu, thanked the chief judge for the visit, which he said would go a long way to giving succour to the inmates.
Ezugwu thanked the chief judge for the drugs and toiletries donated to the correctional centres and inmates. He thanked the chief judge for the facility tour of the custodial centres in the state to ensure that those who deserved mercy were shown mercy to decongest the centres.
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