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- The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Honourable Justice Ekaette Fabian Obot, has released 55 inmates from four Correctional Centers in the state.
- Those released include a nursing mother who gave birth in custody, a mentally deranged person, and 18 inmates freed on health grounds.
- The jail delivery exercise aimed to decongest Correctional Centers and offer a second chance to deserving inmates who demonstrated signs of rehabilitation.
In a significant move to decongest Correctional Centers, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Honourable Justice Ekaette Fabian Obot, has released 55 inmates from four Correctional Centers in the state. The released inmates include a nursing mother who gave birth in custody and a mentally deranged person, Daniel Bassey Ukpong.
The Chief Judge ordered the welfare unit of the Correctional Centre to trace Ukpong’s family for proper medical treatment. Out of the 54 freed inmates, 18 were released on health grounds, including those suffering from leprosy, tuberculosis, kidney failure, and HIV/AIDS.
The three-day jail delivery exercise aimed to decongest Correctional Centers and offer a second chance to deserving inmates who demonstrated signs of rehabilitation while in custody. Obot meticulously reviewed each case file, observing that most inmates had committed minor offences and spent more time in custody than required.
The Chief Judge granted clemency to individuals with stalled trials or those held longer than their prospective sentences. Some inmates were released on compassionate grounds or due to lack of diligent prosecution. Others were freed due to missing case files or based on their progress, remorse, and dedication to self-improvement.
Obot lamented the number of missing case files and charged prosecutors to ensure no one is denied justice or has their fundamental human rights infringed. She urged the released inmates to behave well and avoid returning to the correctional service.
