The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, has ordered the release of 44 inmates, including two females, from correctional facilities in the state’s three senatorial districts to decongest the prisons.
Six inmates were granted freedom in the Ikot Abasi centre, five in the Eket custodial centre, and 11 in the Ikot Ekpene centre. Additionally, 24 inmates, including two females, were pardoned in the Uyo custodial centre.
Justice Obot reviewed all the case files at the correctional chapel in the Uyo centre last Thursday. It was noted that many of the beneficiaries had committed minor offences and had been in custody for extended periods without trial. Additionally, some other inmates were granted release due to compassionate and health reasons. The offences listed in their case files included theft of palm fruits and cassava, assault, and involvement in fights, among other things.
Two individuals, Otuekong Essien and Shadrach Hanson, were released from custody on health grounds. Otuekong Essien had been accused of stealing cassava tubers and suffered from perforated ulcers and appendicitis during his four months in custody. Meanwhile, Shadrach Hanson, 28 years old, had spent over a year in custody for stealing his mother’s cooking pot. Both individuals were released from the Ikot Abasi centre.
“I do not consider it serious enough for you to spend one year and four months in custody. You are hereby released unconditionally. Make sure you are on good behaviour and don’t do anything that will make you come back here,” the CJ told Hanson.
For Kufre Sylvester and many others accused of cultism and conspiracy, their case files could not be found.
Ruling on their matters, the CJ said, “Your case files cannot be found and keeping you here will amount to the breach of your fundamental rights. It’s on this premise that you are released unconditionally.”
While expressing her desire to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities, she emphasised that individuals who had committed serious and violent crimes would not be released. She instructed the state Controller of Corrections, Julius Ezegwu, to prioritise inmates’ complete rehabilitation and reformation.
In addition, she stressed the importance of providing inmates with educational opportunities and skill acquisition programs and establishing schools within correctional centres.