Garri theft suspect, EndSARS detainees regain freedom as Akwa Ibom CJ Frees 37

An 18-year-old girl detained for over a year for allegedly stealing garri and several suspects arrested during the EndSARS protests were among 37 inmates, freed by Ekaete Fabian-Obot,  the Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge.

Obot ordered their release during her ongoing inspection of custodial centres across the state, declaring that it is unconstitutional to keep suspects in prolonged detention without trial.

Drawn from Ikot Abasi, Eket and Ikot Ekpene custodial centres, the beneficiaries were released on health, compassionate and lack of prosecution grounds. The exercise, which began on Monday, will end next Tuesday with a visit to the Uyo Custodial Centre.

Findings showed that eight inmates were released on health grounds, while 29 others regained freedom due to want of diligent prosecution and compassionate considerations.

Oot of the number, two were freed from Ikot Abasi, eight from Eket and 27 from Ikot Ekpene.

Among the most striking cases was that of Charity Augustine, aged 18, who had spent over one year in custody facing a four-count charge of stealing garri. Fabian-Obot ordered her release on compassionate grounds, citing her age and the nature of the alleged offence, and placed her on six months’ probation under close supervision.

Also released were suspects who had been awaiting trial for over three years for minor offences, including fighting, assault and stealing of farm produce, as well as some detainees linked to the EndSARS protests.

In a related development, two convicts at the Ikot Abasi Custodial Centre, Aniekan John and Ndifreke Koffi, were granted early release before the completion of their sentences, with a directive to report to the facility every three months to monitor their conduct.

Speaking during court sessions held within the facilities on Monday and Wednesday, the Chief Judge condemned the prolonged detention of suspects without trial, stressing that such practices violate constitutional provisions.

“Most of the charges are trumped up, while some lack prosecution. You are hereby released unconditionally. Go home and be of good behaviour and desist from acts that could bring you back here,” she said.

The Chief judge further urged lawyers and law enforcement agencies to be more diligent in handling cases to prevent unnecessary delays that worsen congestion in correctional centres.

She also called for support mechanisms to assist released inmates with transportation back to their communities, warning against abandoning them after release.

Earlier, officers in charge of the custodial centres lamented the poor state of facilities, describing them as overstretched and under-resourced.

At the Ikot Ekpene Custodial Centre, Boniface Momoh, Deputy Controller of Corrections, disclosed that the facility, built for 400 inmates, currently accommodates over 700, with challenges including overcrowding, inadequate water supply, lack of operational vehicles and rising fuel costs.

He appealed to the Chief Judge to draw the attention of Governor Umo Eno to the situation, stressing the urgent need for intervention to improve conditions in the custodial centres.