Justice Raymond Ozoemena, the Chief Judge of Enugu State, has released and acquitted about 32 convicts in three custodial centres in the Enugu State of Nigeria.
Ozeomena also gave bail to 104 prisoners and discharged three juveniles who were brought on Friday, July 22.
While stating the jail delivery open on Friday, the chief judge noted that the exercise was his duty to assure that the rights of every citizen were not being infringed.
As per him, the jail delivery, which has over 17 courts sitting, has assured that every prisoner would be provided with the constitutionally guaranteed right of a fair hearing.
The exercise has been undertaken over the years by the Chief Judge and assisted by the High Court’s Honourable Judges in this godly duty.
Ozeomena further stated that he would like to thank His Excellency, Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for giving the financial support which allowed them to carry out this duty.
Nicholas Obiako, Controller of Corrections in Enugu State, stated that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) under the directives of Haliru Nababa, Controller-General, was confident in providing a chance to inmates to develop their capacities.
Obiako stated that the service had provided educational programmes up to the university level as well as functional workshops; these programmes can only be successful if the prisoners are reintegrated via exercises like this where their cases are fast-tracked.
He stated that the jail delivery was an essential tool for yard management as it was an excellent opportunity which convicts to look forward to gaining their freedom as a behavioural guide while they’ll be in custody.
He added that convicts from Nsukka and Oji-River Custodial Centres are all present for their cases to be heard and reviewed.
Later, Sunday Usifo, Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Enugu Custodial Centre, thanked the chief judge for the successful exercise and the remarkable number of inmates discharged as well as bailed.
