Ebonyi State Judiciary, in conjunction with Nigeria Correctional Service, has embarked on decongestion of correctional facilities in Abakaliki and Afikpo Custodian Center in the State.
The Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Elvis Ngene disclosed this to Journalists during an exercise at the custodian Center in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria.
He said the exercise is to ensure that each facility does not suffer congestion at any particular point in time.
Justice Ngene further added that Nigerian youths should eschew any criminal act that can lead to them getting into the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
“It is an exercise the Judiciary normally embark on to ensure that those who have overstayed their jail term and those who have overstayed their awaiting trial are given justice”
“I must commend this Correctional Center and also the Magistrates and Judges who are working in this jurisdiction. From what we saw today, they are doing very well and we commend them highly. They are working very hard, that is why not many were admitted to bail,” he added.
“So far, we have a total of 29 cases in both Abakaliki Correctional Service and Afikpo Custodian Center, out of which, 1 inmate was discharged, 11 inmates were granted bail while 17 inmates were further remanded,” Ngene explained.
The Comptroller, Nigeria Correctional Service Ebonyi State Command, Mr Ndubuisi Ogbodo said the visit of the Chief Judge to the Correctional Center to perform his legal duties is a welcome development.
Ogbodo added that “Goal Delivery is within the discretion of Chief Judge to visit correctional Service to look into individual cases of awaiting trials and those who have not received Justice, where someone has overstayed his/her sentence period, he has the obligation to free them”.
The highlight of the visitation of the Chief Judge was the Inauguration of Edda Judicial Division, High Court of Justice in Owutu Edda, Afikpo South Local Government Area of the State.
On his part, the Chairman Afikpo South Local Government Area, Mr Iniduma Chima expressed joy over the Inauguration of the High Court of Justice in Owutu Edda by the State Chief Judge.
Nnenna.O
