The Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, has ordered the release of seven awaiting-trial inmates on medical grounds, following a review of the cases of 82 inmates in custodial centres accross the state.
The exercise was conducted at the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Custodial Centres as part of efforts to promote speedy dispensation of justice and decongest correctional facilities.
According to a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service(NCoS), Kano State Command, CSC Musbahu Lawan, the Chief Judge reviewed the cases of inmates, some of whom had spent several years in custody without formal charges.
The statement said the seven inmates were released after the Chief Judge considered their medical conditions and other circumstances surrounding their continued detention.Addressing the inmates, Aboki stressed the need for justice to be administered fairly and without unnecessary delay.
The Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Ahmed Yusuf Lakpene, urged the released inmates to regard their freedom as an opportunity to turn a new leave in their lives and remain law-abiding.
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 said jail delivery exercises remained part of efforts to decongest custodial centres and ensure access to justice for persons in custody.
The Chief Judge was accompanied by the Chief Registrar of the High Court, Director of Public Prosecutions, representatives of the Commissioner of Police, Legal Aid Counsel and other stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice.
The NCoS said the Kano Command would continue to collaborate with the judiciary and other justice-sector partners to promote timely trials, decongest custodial centres and uphold the rights of persons in custody.
