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Akwa Ibom State‘s correctional facilities are getting a much-needed breath of fresh air, thanks to Chief Judge Justice Ekaete Obot’s recent order to release 44 inmates, including two female detainees, from the three senatorial districts.
This strategic move is set to ease the burden on the facilities and offer a second chance to those who have paid their dues.
The release of inmates was spread across four correctional facilities, with six gaining freedom in Ikot Abasi, five in Eket, 11 in Ikot Ekpene, and a significant 24, including two women, in Uyo. This strategic distribution ensured a fair and balanced approach to decongesting the facilities.
The Chief Judge’s inaugural inspection visit to the correctional centers proved to be a liberating experience for the inmates, as 46 individuals walked out of detention, marking a new beginning in their lives.
A closer look at the case files revealed a array of minor infractions, including pilfered palm fruits, purloined cassava, and a handful of physical altercations. These seemingly petty crimes had nonetheless landed the inmates in prolonged detention.
One Otuekong Essien accused of stealing cassava tubers, who had stayed up to four months in custody and suffered from perforated ulcer and appendicitis, as certified by the custodial doctor, was released on health grounds at the Ikot Abasi centre.
A 28-year-old Shadrach Hanson, who had spent over one year in custody for stealing his mother’s cooking pot, was also set free.
“I do not consider it serious enough for you to spend one year and four months in custody. You are hereby released unconditionally. Make sure you are on good behaviour and don’t do anything that will make you come back here,” the CJ told Hanson.
For Kufre Sylvester and many others accused of cultism and conspiracy, their case files could not be found.
Ruling on their matters, the CJ said, “Your case files cannot be found and keeping you here will amount to the breach of your fundamental rights. It’s on this premise that you are released unconditionally.”
Justice Obot said as much as she would love the correctional facilities to be decongested, she would not release anyone who had committed violent and major crimes.
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She charged the state Controller of Corrections, Julius Ezegwu, to ensure full reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, saying that apart from helping them to acquire skills, they should be exposed to education.
She called for the establishment of schools within the correctional centres and promised to communicate such to Governor Umo Eno.
“I have observed from my visits that there are training facilities for inmates, but it shouldn’t end there.
“There should also be the establishment of schools so that those within the teenage age and those willing would be enrolled.
“This will enable them to have a better future. We should not condemn them totally because of the situation they found themselves in. I advocate that apart from the craft, they should be exposed to secular education,” Justice Obot said.
Ezugwu seized the opportunity to praise the Chief Judge’s visit as he stressed the pressing need for a comprehensive overhaul of the facilities and vehicles, which have been left to deteriorate, hindering the smooth operation of the correctional centers.
