The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaete F-Obot, has completed her inspection of correctional facilities across the state with the release of 63 additional inmates from the Uyo Custodial Centre.
The latest release brings the total number of inmates freed during the exercise to 100, following the earlier release of 37 inmates from the Ikot Abasi, Eket and Ikot Ekpene custodial centres last week.
The decision to release the 63 inmates followed a detailed review of their cases, conducted with input from the Director of Public Prosecution, court clerks and medical personnel within the correctional system.
According to a statement issued by the judiciary press unit on Wednesday, 24 inmates were discharged on special grounds, while 39 others were granted pardon on compassionate grounds, including cases involving missing files, questionable charges and lack of diligent prosecution.
Among those released on special grounds were 20 inmates suffering from serious health conditions.
One of them, Godwin Francis Etim, who is battling tuberculosis, was referred to the Infectious Disease Hospital in Ikot Ekpene for further treatment.
A pregnant inmate in her final trimester, who was experiencing medical complications beyond the capacity of the custodial facility, was also released to enable her to receive proper medical care.
Another case that drew attention during the review was that of Magdalene Bassey Edet, whose situation highlighted the importance of routine inspection of correctional facilities.
According to the statement, Edet had been convicted by two different courts on separate charges linked to the same offence.
Although she had already completed a 10-year sentence, she was serving an additional two-year term imposed by another court while she was still in custody.
After considering reports of her good behaviour, the Chief Judge ordered her release and placed her on probation for the remaining two years, directing that she report every three months.
“Go and sin no more and don’t indulge in acts that will bring you back here again,” the Chief Judge warned, adding that any further offence would result in her return to custody to serve the outstanding sentence.
Some inmates were also released because their cases could not proceed due to missing case files, reportedly linked to the prolonged illness of a prosecutor who had been absent from duty for about three years.
Six other inmates were found to have been wrongly charged. One of such cases involved Idara Christopher Kingsley, who had been detained in place of her husband after she reported a machete attack against her.
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