During a recent visit to Keffi Prison, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Baba-Yusuf, announced the release of 30 awaiting trial inmates.
He emphasized the purpose of the visit: to ensure that individuals who do not belong in prison are granted their freedom.
“We aim to provide hope to those who feel hopeless. Many of these individuals should never have been incarcerated,” Baba-Yusuf stated.
“This initiative is focused on ensuring that those who have no reason to be here are not detained for even a single day.”
Baba-Yusuf also assured that this effort is not a one-time occurrence, with plans forthcoming for visits to custodial centers in Kuje and Suleja.
The intent is to identify and release individuals who should not be held in correctional facilities.
He attributed the overcrowding and inappropriate detention of some inmates to several factors, including a lack of vigilance from magistrates, police inefficiencies, and the inadequacies of correctional facilities, which struggle to provide the logistical support required for regular court appearances.
“It’s crucial that these institutions are equipped to fulfill their responsibilities,” he noted. “By doing so, we can expedite the judicial process and eliminate the issue of individuals being held in custody when they should be living freely.”
Lucy Abagi, Chief Executive Officer of the Public and Private Development Centre, also shared her organization’s commitment to decongesting custodial facilities nationwide.
She praised the FCT Chief Judge for personally visiting Keffi to release inmates who should not have been detained.
“Many individuals have been held despite being granted bail simply because they could not afford as little as N20,000,” Abagi pointed out.
“Some women are incarcerated due to circumstances related to Gender-Based Violence. They have stood up against abuse, only to face punishment from their abusers. This situation is not only unjust but also against the law.”
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She voiced hope that other Chief Judges across the states would undertake similar initiatives, reinforcing the positive direction initiated by the FCT Chief Judge.
