By Onoriode Etatsemi / Elohor Foghola
WARRI/Nigeria: In an ongoing exercise to decongest Correctional services centres in Delta state, the Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Diai has discharged and acquitted 9 inmates awaiting trial in the Medium Security Custodial Center at Okere, Warri for lack of proper evidence against them based on legal advice by the director of public prosecution.
The Pardoned inmates from the Nigeria Correctional centre (NCS), Okere, Warri, included 28-year-old Goodluck Sunday with Suit No. FHC/116C/18, 29-year-old Destiny Julius with Charge no. MO/97c/19 and Michael Ahmed 20.
Others were 35-year-old Testimony Inoke arrested for alleged conspiracy/burglary/robbery with charge number ME/154C/21 on October 5, 2020, and 29-year-old Ejovi Daniel who has suite number CMU/38C/21, charged with alleged conspiracy and arson including 4 others.
Goodluck was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Kidnapping at High Court 4, Warri, and admitted to the Warri prison on May 31, 2019, spending about five years in custody and his case adjourned 12 times before respite came his way on Monday
In the case of Destiny Julius, a sewage worker, who was arrested in 2018 at PTI junction by a patrol team while returning from work, was arraigned only once since he was charged for alleged armed robbery at High Court 3, Effurun where 103 inmates are awaiting trial.
Chief Judge Diai, who was accompanied by the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Delta State, Isaiah Bozimo Esq. and other principal officers of the Ministry of Justice, treated 531 awaiting trial cases between Monday and Tuesday.
Before the commencement of trails on the inmates, Justice Diai had sought for the cooperation of all those present at the court for a smooth exercise while appealing to Judge’s in the State to ensure that cases brought before them are given accelerated hearing.
She told the court that the essence of the visits was to ensure that those held captive and kept at the custody of the correctional centres were the bona-fide and legal inmates and as well ensure inmates do not spend more time on offences he or she has been convicted for.
She added that the visit ought to have come up much earlier, but due to prevailing circumstances in the country it could not commence as planned, assuring that it will be very regular as scheduled henceforth.
She assured the comptroller of Okere correctional centre, that his plea for assistance would be communicated to the Delta State state Governor through his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Delta, Isaiah Bozimo Esq, who was physically present at the court all through the proceedings.
Earlier, the deputy comptroller of Okere custodial centre, Mr E O Etim appealed to the chief Judge that she should use her good office in appealing to the governor that those inmates who had death penalty hanging on their neck be reversed in the spirit of the Nigerian correctional services Act 2019 LFN.
He added, ” Your Lordships, we want to extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Executive executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Dr Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa on his various assistance to the correctional centre especially in the areas of drugs for the inmates and other areas of interventions through the first lady, her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa”
The exercise continues on Thursday 20th, 2022 in Sapele centre correctional centre where it will move to other centres across the state next week on each day.
