Orders release on Medical Grounds
The Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, has reviewed the cases of 82 awaiting-trial inmates and ordered the immediate release of seven persons on medical grounds as part of efforts to decongest custodial centres and accelerate the administration of criminal justice.
The exercise was conducted at the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Custodial Centres in Kano State.
Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano State Command, Musbahu Nassarawa, disclosed the development in a statement on Friday.
According to the statement, the jail-delivery exercise formed part of efforts by the Kano State Judiciary and the Nigerian Correctional Service to promote speedy dispensation of justice and protect the rights of persons in custody.
“The Honourable Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, has reviewed the cases of 82 Awaiting Trial Persons during a jail delivery exercise conducted at custodial centres in Kano State,” the statement said.
It added that particular attention was given to inmates who had remained in custody for prolonged periods without formal charges or whose circumstances required judicial intervention.
Following consideration of the cases placed before her, Justice Aboki ordered the immediate release of seven inmates on medical grounds.
“During the exercise, the Chief Judge ordered the immediate release of 7 inmates on medical grounds, following due consideration of their health conditions and other circumstances surrounding their continued detention,” the Correctional Service said.
The Service said the exercise underscored the commitment of the Kano State Judiciary to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding human rights and preventing persons from remaining in custody beyond the period permitted by law.
Addressing inmates during the exercise, Justice Aboki emphasised the need for justice to be administered fairly and without unnecessary delay.
The Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Ahmed Lakpene, urged the released inmates to regard their freedom as an opportunity to make a fresh start.
He advised them to remain law-abiding and avoid conduct capable of bringing them into conflict with the law and returning them to custody.
Lakpene also commended the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, for providing what he described as an enabling environment for the humane treatment of inmates across custodial centres.
He noted that jail-delivery exercises remained part of measures aimed at reducing congestion in correctional facilities and ensuring that persons awaiting trial have meaningful access to justice.
The Chief Judge was accompanied during the exercise by the Chief Registrar of the Kano State High Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, representatives of the Commissioner of Police, Legal Aid counsel and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano State Command, reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the judiciary and other justice-sector institutions to promote speedy trials, decongest custodial facilities and protect the rights of persons in custody.
In this article