A total of 57 awaiting trial inmates recently regained freedom having been released from correctional facilities by Ekaette Fabian Obot, the chief judge of Akwa Ibom State, in the just-concluded jail delivery exercise.
The chief judge, in the course of the inspection visit to the facilities, painstakingly reviewed all the awaiting trial cases in the four Custodial Centers in the Command and released 57 inmates with 4 at Ikot Abasi, 6 at Eket, 14 at Ikot Ekpene, and 33 at Uyo.
Appreciating the Nigerian Correctional Service for the good job of providing safe, secured, and humane custody for the teeming inmate population in the Command, the chief judge also commended the controller of corrections, officers, and men of the command for the neat environment of the Custodial Centers, while commending the healthy appearance of the inmates.
In his address, Julius Ezugwu, Controller of Corrections, Akwa Ibom State Command, on behalf of Haliru Nababa, Controller General of Corrections, thanked the chief judhe and the entire judiciary in the state for the robust synergy with the Command and for coming to the aid of the inmates, stressing that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.
The controller also expressed deep gratitude to the chief judge not only for granting mercy and pardon to inmates but also for going the extra mile to provide relief items and welfare packages including mattresses, drugs and toiletries to the various centers inspected.
He further advised the freed inmates to be of good behavior, desist from crime and make good use of the skills they have acquired in the facilities.
In appreciation, the inmates of Medium Security Custodial Center Uyo, on behalf of others, presented a beautifully crafted handbag to the chief judge.
