Abia State Chief Judge Frees Two Inmates, Grants Bail to 15 Others at Aba Correctional Centre

In a bid to decongest the Nigeria Correctional Centre (NCoS) in Aba, Abia State, the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Lilian Abai, has discharged two inmates and granted bail to 15 others with minor offenses during a jail delivery exercise.

During the event, Justice Abai expressed deep concern over the high number of inmates awaiting trial in the correctional facility. She urged magistrates within the Abia State Judiciary to adopt a more considerate approach when granting bail to inmates charged with minor offenses.

Justice Abai emphasized the need for officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service to be diligent in ensuring that inmates are promptly taken to court for their trials. She also requested a comprehensive list of inmates with minor offenses to facilitate future jail delivery exercises aimed at reducing the overcrowding in the facility.

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Abia State, Mrs. A.O. Chinedu, commended the Chief Judge for her boldness and commitment to justice. Similarly, the Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Aba branch, Mrs. Esther Dim Oriaku, voiced her concern over the alarming number of inmates awaiting trial and encouraged the released inmates to embrace a productive lifestyle and become responsible citizens.

The jail delivery exercise is part of the Abia State Judiciary's effort to promote fairness and decongest correctional facilities, especially for those held for minor offenses. The initiative has been widely applauded by legal practitioners and human rights advocates, who have been advocating for a more efficient judicial process to address the challenges faced by inmates awaiting trial.

Justice Abai assured that similar exercises would be conducted regularly to uphold the rights of inmates and enhance the justice system in Abia State.