Akwa Ibom Chief Justice releases 2 female inmates, 42 others

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Fabian Obot, has released a total of 44 inmates from correctional facilities in the state.

The released detainees included two women and 42 men of varying ages, accused of minor offences.

This is the result of the CJ’s first inspection visit to the state’s correctional centers in 2024.

Six inmates were released in Ikot Abasi, five in Eket, 11 in Ikot Ekpene while 24 inmates, including two women, were released in Uyo.

Justice Obot, before granting them pardon, reviewed all the records and found that most of the periods of stay of the beneficiaries in the centres without trial were sufficient punishment for the minor offences such as theft of palm fruits, cassava, assaults, among others, of which they were accused and ordered their unconditional release.

Others were released on humanitarian grounds and for fear of prosecution.

The chief justice ordered them to go home and be of good behavior.

Otuekong Essien, accused of stealing cassava tubers and who spent up to four months in detention, is suffering from a perforated ulcer and appendicitis, as certified by the prison doctor. He was released on health grounds at the Ikot Abasi centre.

Shadrach Hanson, 28, who spent more than a year in custody for stealing his mother’s cooking pot, was also released.

“I do not consider your case to be serious enough to warrant a year and four months in custody. You are hereby released unconditionally, please behave yourself and do nothing that might bring you back here,” the chief justice said.

For Kufre Sylvester and many other cult and conspiracy defendants, whose files could not be found and who have spent more than two years in prison, Judge Obot confirmed that they should be released unconditionally.

“Your travel records are untraceable and your continued detention here would amount to a violation of your fundamental rights and it is on this premise that you are released unconditionally,” the chief justice said.

Obot noted that while she would like to see correctional facilities decongested, she would not release anyone who has committed major violent crimes to continue wreaking havoc on society.

She said justice would take its course in such cases.

She called on the state Controller of Prisons, Julius Ezegwu, to ensure the comprehensive rehabilitation and re-education of the inmates. According to her, in addition to providing them with skills, they should also be provided with education.

Judge Obot therefore called for the establishment of schools within correctional centres so that adolescents and young adults can be enrolled there for a better future.

She promised to write to the governor to help the centres by providing vehicles to take inmates to court and for other logistics.

In his speech, the State Comptroller, Ezugwu, thanked the Chief Justice for her regular visits to the facility and the goodwill she has so far demonstrated.

He highlighted some of the challenges facing the centres, including dilapidated facilities and a lack of vehicles to take detainees to court.