Akwa Ibom Chief Judge releases 63 additional prisoners

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaete Fabian F-Obot, has ordered the release of 63 additional inmates from Uyo Custodial Centre, marking the culmination of her tour of correctional facilities across the state.

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This latest batch brings the total number of freed inmates this year to 100, a record-breaking figure, following the release of 37 inmates from Ikot Abasi, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene custodian centres the previous week.

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A thorough examination of the cases of the 63 inmates, involving input from the Director of Public Prosecution, court clerks, and medical personnel, preceded their release from the correctional facility.

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According to a statement from the judiciary press unit on Wednesday, 24 inmates were discharged on special grounds, while 39 were pardoned on compassionate grounds, including instances of missing case files, fabricated charges, and lack of diligent prosecution.

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Among the special cases were 20 inmates with severe health issues, including Godwin Francis Etim, who is battling tuberculosis and has been referred to the Infectious Disease Hospital in Ikot Ekpene for treatment.

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A pregnant inmate in her final trimester, facing medical complications that exceeded the facility's capacity, was also released to access specialized care.

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Notably, the case of Magdalene Bassey Edet highlighted the importance of regular inspections, as she had been convicted by two different courts on separate charges arising from the same offence.

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Having already completed a 10-year sentence, Magdalene Bassey Edet was serving an additional two-year term for the same matter, having been convicted by another court while serving the 10-year term, prompting the CJ to grant her release, placing her on probation for the remaining two years, and requiring her to report every three months.

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The CJ cautioned her, saying, "Go and sin no more and don’t indulge in acts that will bring you back here," as she granted her release.

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Four inmates whose cases could not proceed due to missing files, reportedly linked to the prolonged illness of a prosecutor absent for about three years, were among those released on other grounds.

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Six others were found to have been wrongfully charged, including Idara Christopher Kingsley, who had been detained in place of her husband after reporting a machete assault against her.

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Idara Christopher Kingsley's husband was wanted in connection with a fight involving family members, but she was arrested instead, highlighting a case of mistaken identity.

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The Chief Judge urged all released inmates to maintain good conduct and refrain from returning to crime, saying, "I urge you all to maintain good conduct and not to indulge in criminal activities that will bring you back here.

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She criticized the practice by some police officers of obtaining remand orders and abandoning cases without returning to court after the stipulated 21 days, and advised magistrates to take proactive steps by fixing dates to strike out such cases and notify relevant parties.

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The Chief Judge emphasized that cases should be struck out where there is a failure to follow due process, to prevent unnecessary delays and ensure justice is served.

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DCC Ezekiel Inyang, the Officer in Charge, welcomed the CJ to the facility, describing the visit as timely, and noting that the custodial centre was grappling with severe overcrowding, with over 1,600 inmates.

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The facility, built in 1912, is significantly overstretched, and a recent windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall on Tuesday, February 17, damaged three cell blocks and brought down part of the perimeter fence, plunging the facility into disarray.

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However, DCC Ezekiel Inyang reported that there were no casualties, nor were there escapees, despite the damage caused by the windstorm.