More inmates breathed air of freedom at the Sapele Medium Security Custodial Centre at the ongoing visit by the Chief Judge of Delta State, Honourable Justice Tessy Diai to Custodial centres of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
The four inmates Sampson Oghenegweke, Odi Oghenervwed, Obakporo Oghorodi Couple and Abdulahi Karimu were among 190 cases of awaiting trials reviewed by the State Chief Judge.
The inmates who were held in custody for alleged offences ranging from murder, conspiracy, unlawful carnal knowledge to secret cult jumped up in jubilation after their discharge. They expressed gratitude to God and Chief Judge by giving justice, reiterating their innocence.
Rounding off the exercise on Thursday, Justice Diai said that the total number of inmates released from the Warri and Sapele Custodial Centres visited so far stood at nine while reviewed cases of awaiting trials was 661.
Counsel to Samson Oghenegweke, one of the released inmates, Mr. Kingsley Otoghile from Legal Aid Council Warri, argued that keeping his client in prison custody for three and half years without trial negative the spirit and letters of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law Delta State 2017 which, core purpose was speedy dispensation of justice.
According to him, having recourse to the antecedent of his client's case who was charged for an alleged unlawful carnal knowledge, and with information by Director of Public Prosecution to the effect that no witness has come to testify since his detention, the defendant deserved to be discharged for the interest of justice.
The Chief Judge having carefully examined the facts of Oghenegweke's case and taking into congnisance of DPP's legal opinion, discharged the inmate.
In response to the address of the Deputy Controller of Sapele Custodial Centre, Eugene Amechi Nwanze, Justice Diai promised to communicate their appeal for provison of logistics to the State Government, even as she acknowledged the immense assistance the state has rendered to custodial centres in the State.
Earlier, the Deputy Controller appealed for assistance of the Chief Judge in speaking to the state government to provide more vehicles to ease in production and reproduction of inmates in courts for trials, and to implore judges and magistrates to give concession to custody cases during court proceedings in view of prevailing security situation in the country.
He disclosed that the centre which has the capacity of 293 inmates has at present 197 lock up as at the day of the visit.
Agbaragu Timothy, Esq.
Functioning Director,
Protocol/PR,
High Court of Justice,
Asaba.
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