Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has released 35 inmates awaiting trial from custodial centres in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The inmates—33 males and two females—were discharged during his visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, on Tuesday. Baba-Yusuf said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that individuals who should not be in custody are not left to languish behind bars.
“There are a lot of people who shouldn’t be here in the first place. Today we have been able to set free 35 people who have no business being here, and that is a huge boost,” he said.
The Chief Judge added that such visits would be routine to decongest facilities and prevent unnecessary detention.
He also directed magistrates in the FCT to improve case management strategies and ensure speedy trials.
Civil society groups welcomed the initiative. Programme Officer of the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC), Cynthia Onyeka, said Nigeria’s high rate of pre-trial detention fuels overcrowding. She disclosed that the organisation paid ₦1.5 million in fines to support the release of some inmates.
Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abuja Branch, Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, also commended the Chief Judge and partner NGOs for securing the release of female inmates unable to pay fines or compensatory orders.
Officer-in-Charge of the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre, Sumaila Bulus, thanked the Chief Judge for the intervention, noting that the facility currently houses 667 inmates.
He, however, appealed for more logistical support, especially vehicles to transport inmates to courts in the FCT.
