Five defendants charged with possession of firearms and a single barrel were among the eight inmates discharged today by the Delta State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Diai from the Agbor Custodial Centre, Agbor in the Ika South Local Government Area.
The freed accused persons, four in their twenties and one teenager arraigned before the Magistrate Court 1 Agbor on September 14, 2022, for the possession of firearms, were set free based on the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to the effect that they were innocent of the offence preferred against.
The five who jumped out of the hall shouting, "Jehovah, Jehovah" narrated the circumstances that brought them to the custody, saying that they were all neighbours at Alihame, Agbor in Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Relating their sad experience to the press, they said they were sitting at their compound on one fateful day when the Police raided the area and took all of them to the Police Station.
They continued that even when the Police searched their homes and found nothing incriminating, they were still charged with an offence they knew nothing about. They thanked God, the Chief Judge and DPP for exonerating them.
Justice Diai who reviewed 240 warrants, equally discharged three others based on DPP advice, even as she enjoined magistrates to accelerate the trial of defendants granted bail, but could not find surety to guarantee them.
In a welcome address, the Deputy Controller of Corrections in charge of Agbor Custodial Centre, Mr. Donatus Ezugwu, appreciated the Chief Judge for the priority given to custody cases which have resulted in quick dispensation of justice.
While expressing gratitude to the state governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the quick intervention in rebuilding the parameter wall of the Centre that collapsed sometime due to torrential downpours, Mr. Ezugwu appealed to the Chief Judge to assist in providing more vehicles to enable officers to convey inmates to courts as at when due.
He appealed to the Chief Judge, on behalf of one critically ill inmate, Chinedu Kelvin Abiamuwe, to be granted bail to enable him to attend court from home while receiving treatment.
"My Lord, I wish to make a passionate appeal on behalf of one awaiting trial male, Chinedu Kelvin Abiamuwe (charged with conspiracy & murder) who was admitted at the Central Hospital, Agbor for more than a month now. He was diagnosed with heart failure and severe anaemia, and over five (5) pants of blood had been transfused as of yesterday (25/10/2022) and the percentage is still below 25%. I am appealing that he should be granted bail so that he will be attending court from home if he survives the illness," he stated.
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