The Chief Judge (CJ) of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, has reviewed the cases of 82 awaiting-trial persons and ordered the immediate release of seven inmates on medical grounds.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Kano State Command, Musbahu Nassarawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
The exercise was conducted at the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Custodial Centres as part of efforts to promote the speedy dispensation of justice, decongest custodial facilities and protect the rights of persons in custody.
According to the statement, the Chief Judge reviewed the cases of inmates, including some who had spent several years in custody without formal charges.
“During the exercise, the Chief Judge ordered the immediate release of seven inmates on medical grounds, following due consideration of their health conditions and other circumstances surrounding their continued detention,” the statement said.
It added that the exercise demonstrated the commitment of the Kano State Judiciary to upholding the rule of law, safeguarding human rights and ensuring that no person was detained beyond what is permitted by law.
Addressing the inmates, 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 turn a new page in their lives, remain law-abiding and avoid actions that could bring them into conflict with the law.
Lakpene also commended the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, for creating an enabling environment for the humane treatment of inmates in custodial centres.
He said jail delivery exercises remained an important component of efforts to decongest custodial facilities and ensure access to justice for all persons in custody.
The Chief Judge was accompanied by the Chief Registrar of the High Court, the Director of Public Prosecutions, representatives of the Commissioner of Police, Legal Aid counsel and other key stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano State Command, reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the judiciary and other justice-sector partners to promote timely trials, decongest custodial centres and uphold the rights of persons in custody.
