Yahaya Zakka Minna.
Niger State Chief Judge Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik has granted nineteen inmates on awaiting trial at the Old Minna Correctional Centre their freedom.
The inmates gained their freedom during the Chief Judge two days maiden visit to the centre in her bid to decongest prisons in the state.
Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik said the aim of the visit is to review some inmate cases who have been incarcerated in the Custodial Centre for the past years without been taken to court by the Police Legal Unit and those for capital offences of armed robbery, culpable homicide, among other offences.
She also added that their are inmates languishing in the Correctional Centre for years without their files been transfer to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution DPP, in the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.
The Chief Judge then ordered for their summary trial and have their conviction backdated to the years they have been remanded in the Custodial Centre.
Also the Chief Judge released two convicts who have served their term and are of good conduct and behaviour
Addressing the inmates shortly after their released, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik warned them not to get themselves into any criminal activities that will bring them back to the Custodial Centre.
She advised them to engage themselves in a meaningful ventures that would make them be self reliance and be useful to the society and to themselves.
Also speaking, the State Controller of Nigerian Custodial Service, Alhaji Salman Abdulkadir told the released inmates to use their experience gained while in the custody to get themselves closer to their God and be prayerful so as to steer far away from any criminal activities.
He warned them to be mindful of the friends they keep in their respective communities.
While rounding up the week long activities at the remand home ,three inmates were released base their good conducts while in remand Home on, two were summarily tried and have jail term reduced and released,one inmate was also granted bail.
At end of the day sitting, the Chief Judge, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik commends the Magistrates for their wonderful support, the Court clerks and all prosecutors for making the exercise smooth.
She then tasks them to be more prepared ahead of next week exercise,adding that the more they make case files readily available and relevant documents, it will hasten the procedure.
