12 inmates released unconditionally after 5 years awaiting trial

Twelve Inmates on awaiting trial at the old Minna Custodial Centre have been released unconditionally on the order of the Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik.

The inmates who have been in incarceration in the custodial Centre for the past five years without being taken to court by the police legal unit were granted pardon during the maiden visit to the centre by the chief judge.

Justice Halima Ibrahim reviewed some cases of those that have been in the custodial Centre for capital offences of armed robbery, culpable homicide, among other offences and have been languishing in the correctional centre for over five years without their case files been transfered to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), in the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

The Chief Judge ordered for their summary trial by the Chief Magistrate on her entourage to the Custodial Centre and to have their conviction backdated to the years they have been remanded in the custodial Centre.

Also, the Chief Judge released two inmates on awaiting trial for over five years without their case being taken to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice by the Police in the legal unit of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), while ten others were summarily tried and have their sentenced backdated.

Addressing the inmates shortly after their release, Justice Halima Ibrahim Abdulmalik warned them not to get themselves into any criminal activities that will bring them back to the Custodial Centre.

She requested them to engage in meaningful ventures that make them be self reliant and be useful to the society and to themselves.

“Don’t go back to the society to commit any crime. Engage yourselves in a meaningful venture that will earn you livings. You can push wheelbarrow to earn a living or you can farm to earn a living.

“As you are now going back to your various homes, please don’t go into criminal activities that will bring you back to this place again (Correctional center). So go and get yourselves into a meaningful thing to earn your legitimate living.”

Also speaking, the State Controller of Nigerian custodial service in Niger State ( NCS), Alhaji Salman Abdulkadir told the released inmates to use their experience, 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.