The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has ordered the release of 35 inmates awaiting trial from the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Baba-Yusuf discharged the inmates—33 males and two females—during his visit to the custodial centre on Tuesday as part of efforts to decongest facilities and ensure justice for those wrongfully detained.
“There are a lot of people who shouldn’t be here in the first place.
“This visit is to ensure that people who have no business being here are not kept behind bars, not even for one day.
“Today we have set free 35 people who have no business being here, and that is a huge boost,” the Chief Judge stated.
He explained that the exercise would be conducted regularly to prevent unnecessary detention.
He also directed magistrates in FCT courts to strengthen case management strategies to speed up trials and ensure inmates know their fate without prolonged delays.
Civil society groups commended the initiative.
Miss Cynthia Onyeka, Programme Officer at the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC), said the visit was timely given Nigeria’s high rate of pre-trial detentions, which has led to overcrowded custodial centres.
According to her, PPDC supported the release exercise by paying fines worth ₦1.5 million for some inmates who could not afford them.
Similarly, Mrs Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abuja Branch, expressed appreciation to the Chief Judge and partner NGOs for assisting female inmates who were unable to meet their fines or compensatory orders.
The Officer-in-Charge of Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre, Mr Sumaila Bulus, thanked the Chief Judge for the intervention, noting that the facility currently houses 667 inmates.
He, however, appealed for logistical support, particularly vehicles, to ease the transportation of inmates to and from courts in the FCT.
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