DELTA STATE CHIEF JUDGE CONCLUDES PRISON VISIT, FREES 19 IN OGWASHI-UKU. | Agbaragu Timothy

 

The Delta State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Tessy Diai has concluded the second quarter of the jail delivery exercise at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Ogwashi-Uku where she ordered the release of 19 inmates. 

Justice Diai who had been on a tour of the five custodial centres of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the state stated that a total number of 1, 820 warrants of inmates were reviewed out of which 42 were discharged during the exercise

Giving a summary of the exercise at Ogwashi-Uku custodial centre at the end of the two weeks prison visit that began on 16th May 2022, the Chief Judge disclosed that 609 warrants were reviewed at Warri and 10 inmates released; Sapele, 219 reviewed while three released; Kwale 264 reviewed and four released; Agbor six released out of 239 warrants that were reviewed, and Ogwashi-Uku 489 reviewed while 19 inmates discharged.

One of the pathetic scenes that played out today at Ogwashi-Uku custodial centre where two inmates, Abuchi John and Chibuike Onyemachi Emmanuel whom the Chief Judge ordered their immediate release on the ground that the case file of the duo could not be found.

The two defendants, both 19 years of age, narrating their ordeal stated that they had been in custody since the 19th of August, 2020 on allegations of conspiracy and robbery, and were not taken to court. 

They further said that they were in their house when the Police arrested them and slammed them with allegations they knew nothing about. Abuchi John who could not hold his joy said while in incarceration she lost both her father and mother. While Chibuike Emmanuel said his discharge would now afford him the opportunity to celebrate his birthday after over two years. 

Another case was that of Owen Luwiz. The 22 years old had been on remand since the 25th of March, 2020 on the charge of conspiracy, impersonation, and assault. When the Chief Judge called the warrant the presiding Magistrate, Chief Magistrate (Special Grade 1) trying the matter, Mrs. Patricia Nsolu submitted that the prosecution had abandoned the case. The Chief Judge, therefore, directed that she try the matter there. 

After reviewing the facts before her from her record book the Magistrate struck out the matter for lack of diligent prosecution.

The Chief Judge commended stakeholders for their performance, especially state counsel prosecuting cases in Asaba and Ibusa for ensuring that cases move on smoothly despite challenges faced. She equally commended one Felicia Ijeh, the Registrar of Court four for being articulate in her performance.