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From Uchenna Inya, Esther Onu, Abakaliki
Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Elvis Ngene has granted freedom to 15 inmates at the Abakaliki Correctional Service Centre.
Eight other inmates were remanded by the Chief Judge during the exercise which took place at the premises of the service centre during the weekend
Ngene noted that the decision to release the inmates was based on the severity of their cases, allowing those eligible for bail to regain their freedom.
“There will be a chance again to release inmates by next year, we treated a number of 23 cases but 15 were granted bail and eight remanded”, he said
He enjoined the released inmates to stay clear of criminal activities that could lead them back to prison while he urged the eight of them who were remanded to utilize their time in custody for reflection, with hopes for their eventual rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Justice, Ben Odo, commended the Chief Judge for fulfilling his duties.
He noted that the jail delivery was part of the state government’s ongoing efforts to decongest prisons in the state and assured fair and timely administration of justice across the state.
Some of the inmates who were granted bail by the Chief Judge including, Chibuike Nwoke, Agburu Ifeanyi, Okonkwo Ocha Mgbada were asked what they learnt while in detention.
One of them, Egede Collins, accused of drug abuse and attempted murder ,said :”I have learnt to listen to my mother when she says I should not smoke Indian hemp with my friends,” he said.
