Nineteen prisoners who were awaiting trial at the Old Minna Correctional Centre have regained their freedom on the orders of Niger State Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik in the state.
GoldenNewsNg reports that the Chief Justice ordered for their summary trial and have their convictions backdated to the years they have been remanded in the Custodial Centre in the state.
The move was part of her efforts to decongest the correctional center during her two day maiden visit in Minna.
According to her, “The aim of my visit is to review some inmate cases who have been incarcerated in the Custodial Centre for the past years without being taken to court by the Police Legal Unit and those for capital offences of armed robbery, culpable homicide, among other offences.
“The inmates languish in the Correctional Centre for years without their files being transferred to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, in the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.”
She also released two convicts who have served their term and due to their good conduct and behavior.
Justice Abdulmalik while addressing the inmates after their release warned them against involving themselves in any criminal activities that could return them back to the Centre.
The CJ advised,”As you leave this facility, engage yourselves in meaningful ventures that would make you self-reliant and useful to your families, the society and to yourselves. Stay away from any act that could bring you back here”.
The state Controller of Nigerian Custodial Service, Alhaji Salman Abdulkadir, in his address those released to use experience gathered in the custody to get themselves closer to their God and be prayerful to help them keep away from any criminal acts.
Abdulkadir also warned them to be careful of the companies they keep in their various communities.
