Kano State Chief Judge has ordered the release of seven awaiting-trial inmates after reviewing the cases of 82 detainees, as part of efforts to ease prolonged detention and ensure faster access to justice.
Kano is in the North-West region.
The Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Aboki, has reviewed the cases of 82 awaiting-trial persons (ATPs) during a jail delivery exercise conducted at custodial centres in the state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano/Nassarawa Command, Musbahu Lawan/Nassarawa.
The exercise was conducted at the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Custodial Centres as part of efforts to promote the speedy dispensation of justice and protect the rights of persons in custody.
During the exercise, Justice Aboki reviewed the cases of inmates who had spent several years in custody without formal charges.
She subsequently ordered the immediate release of seven inmates on medical grounds, following consideration of their health conditions and other circumstances surrounding their continued detention.
Addressing the inmates, the Chief Judge emphasised the importance of administering justice fairly and without unnecessary delay.
The Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Ahmed Lakpene, urged the released inmates to regard their freedom as an opportunity to turn a new page in their lives, remain law-abiding and avoid acts that could bring them into conflict with the law.
Lakpene also commended the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, for providing an enabling environment for the humane treatment of inmates in custodial centres.
He noted that jail delivery exercises form part of ongoing efforts to decongest custodial centres and ensure that justice is accessible to all inmates.
The Chief Judge was accompanied by the Chief Registrar of the High Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, representatives of the Commissioner of Police, Legal Aid counsel and other key stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano State Command, reaffirmed its commitment to working with the judiciary and other justice-sector partners to promote timely trials, decongest custodial centres and uphold the rights of prisoners.
