The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Umar, has assured inmates with terrorism-related charges who have been in jail without trial that they have not been forgotten by the government.
This was disclosed by the Public Relations Officer, Nigerian Correctional Service, Bauchi State Command, Adam Jibrin, in a statement made available to journalists in the state Wednesday night.
He said that the Chief Judge spoke to the inmates during the jail delivery exercise tour of custodial centres across the state.
“The Chief judge also took time to address inmates with terrorism-related charges who have been languishing in custody for a long time without trial.
“She assured them that government and relevant agencies are doing everything possible to address their problems.
“She urged them to remain calm and exercise more patience,” he said.
He said that Justice Umar, while addressing Sharia Court judges, warned them to refrain from sentencing all manners of suspects into custody especially those with minor offences.
This, according to her, brings congestion of custodial centres.
Adam said that the Chief judge, who was in company with members of the Administration of criminal Justice committee, comprising of the Nigerian Police, the Director Public Prosecution (DPP) from the Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association Bauchi Chapter and the Controller of Corrections, toured seven custodial centers in the state.
He said the centers visited are Misau, Zaki, Gamawa, Azare, Jama’are, Ningi and Bauchi Custodial Centres.
During the visit, he said she reviewed cases of awaiting trial inmates presented to her and released deserving ones.
According to him, no fewer than 11 inmates in detention at these custodial centers across the state were released.
“While addressing the released inmates, the Chief Judge admonished them to be law abiding citizens and shun crime,” he added.
Adam said that in a remark, the Controller of Corrections, Bauchi State Command, Kabir Galadanci, Commended the Chief Judge and the State government for making the visit to Custodial Centres possible.
He said the visit will go along way in decongesting the Centres and further give hope to the inmates.
