The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, on Friday, announced the release of 123 inmates, including an 18-year-old mentally challenged girl said to have been eating foam and other objects while in custody.
Obot granted freedom to the inmates during the second quarter of 2025 tour of the Medium Security Custodial Centres, which began on Monday and ended on Friday at the Uyo Correctional Centre.
Of the 123 released inmates, four were from the Ikot Abasi custodial centre; 17 from the Eket centre; 29 from the Ikot Ekpene centre; while 73 regained their freedom at the Uyo Custodial Centre.
A total of 62 inmates were released on health grounds, including cases of anaemia, scabies, and tuberculosis.
“I released you on health grounds, go and sin no more and shun all acts that might bring you back here again. The mentally challenged girl should be taken to the psychiatric hospital in Eket for proper examination and treatment,” the CJ said.
Worried about the spread of diseases in the centres, the CJ instructed that the dormitory where all the sick inmates were camped be properly sanitised and that no new inmates should be placed there in the meantime to prevent further spread of infections.
She observed that most of the offenders had committed minor offences and had overstayed in custody beyond the duration they would have served if convicted.
Obot expressed displeasure over the number of inmates awaiting trial, some without any charges filed against them, and noted that several had stayed longer than the maximum sentence they might have received if convicted.
One such case was that of Etieno Okon, who was 15 years old when he was detained. He had been in custody for five years without trial on a cultism charge and was released alongside his father.
She charged prosecutors to ensure that no one is denied justice and urged them to respect the fundamental rights of the accused.
The Chief Judge commended all Judges, Magistrates, court officials, and the Controller of Correctional Centre, Akwa Ibom Command, for their commitment and steadfastness throughout the three-day exercise.
She prayed that God Almighty would grant the released sick inmates speedy recovery and sustain those still in custody.
The CJ also donated the sum of ₦300,000 to the centre to assist in transporting the freed inmates back to their various destinations.
She emphasised the importance of hygiene management in custodial centres and called on correctional officers to ensure sanitary conditions are maintained to reduce the spread of communicable diseases.
Highlighting the significance of jail delivery in safeguarding justice and human rights, the CJ noted that the exercise aligns with the constitutional mandate of the judiciary to ensure no person is unjustly detained without due process.
“This exercise aligns with the constitutional mandate of the judiciary to ensure that no person is unjustly detained without due process.”
In his remarks, the Controller of Correctional Centre, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr. Frank Okonkwo, thanked the Chief Judge for her visit and the goodwill extended to the custodial centres in the state.
Okonkwo highlighted some challenges confronting the centres, including dilapidated facilities and a lack of logistics to convey inmates to court on time.
He appealed to the Chief Judge to facilitate the approval of pending requests to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, for the provision of operational vehicles, repair of existing ones, and the supply of beddings, especially critical during the current cold season.
