FCT Chief Judge frees 35 inmates from Keffi correctional centres

Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has discharged 35 inmates awaiting trial from two custodial centres in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

Baba-Yusuf discharged the inmates during a visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi on Tuesday.

Out of the 35 inmates freed, 33 were men while two were women. The Chief Judge explained that the visit was part of efforts to ensure that people unjustly held behind bars are given freedom.

“There are a lot of people who shouldn’t be here in the first place. This visit is to ensure that people who have no business being here are not kept behind doors, not even for one day. That is what we have done. Today, we have been able to set free 35 people who have no business being here, and that is a huge boost,” he said.

Justice Baba-Yusuf added that such exercises would become routine to prevent unnecessary suffering of individuals in custody. He also directed the Director of Magistrates to carry out oversight functions to ensure that cases are handled promptly.

He further disclosed that magistrates in FCT courts had been cautioned to adopt better case management strategies so that trials move faster and inmates can know their fate without delay.

Speaking on the development, Miss Cynthia Onyeka, Programme Officer at the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), a civil society organisation, commended the Chief Judge’s intervention.

“In Nigeria today, we have a high rate of pre-trial detentions which has led to overcrowded custodial centres. This visit presents an opportunity for the Chief Judge to decongest the system,” she said.

Onyeka explained that the PPDC supported the exercise because it aligns with its mission to make Nigeria’s justice system fair and transparent, especially for vulnerable people who cannot afford legal representation.

She disclosed that the organisation paid fines totaling N1.5 million to help secure the release of some inmates.

Mrs. Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Abuja Branch, also praised the Chief Judge’s effort. She particularly appreciated non-governmental organisations that paid fines for the release of inmates, especially women who could not afford court-imposed fines and compensatory orders.

Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Sumaila Bulus, Officer in Charge of the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre, thanked Justice Baba-Yusuf for the visit and the releases. He noted that the facility, currently housing 667 inmates, would benefit from the decongestion exercise.

Bulus appealed for logistical support to aid in transporting inmates from custodial centres to courts in the FCT. He explained that the two available vehicles were inadequate to meet transportation needs.