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From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena has granted bail and ordered the release of 86 inmates from the Enugu Custodial Centre as part of events marking the 2025 jail delivery exercise held in Enugu.
Among those freed was an 86-year-old man from Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area, who regained his freedom on health and humanitarian grounds.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Ozoemena said the jail delivery exercise is a key judicial responsibility designed to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of persons awaiting trial.
He explained that the exercise allows the judiciary to review cases that have been delayed or stalled to ensure that no one is unjustly detained.
“This is a statutory duty imposed on every State Chief Judge to ensure that inmates are given the opportunity to have their cases reviewed where the wheel of justice has been slow.
“I consider this a sacred obligation to safeguard the constitutional rights of every citizen and to make sure that justice is both fair and timely,” he said.
The Chief Judge commended his predecessors for sustaining the tradition of jail delivery, describing it as an important mechanism for maintaining public trust in the justice system.
He also appreciated judges of the Enugu State judiciary, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and officials of the Enugu Custodial Centre for their collaboration and commitment to justice delivery.
Justice Ozoemena further thanked Governor Peter Mbah for his administration’s continued support to the judiciary, particularly the financial and logistical assistance that made the 2025 jail delivery exercise possible.
He reaffirmed the judiciary’s dedication to ensuring that justice remains accessible, fair, and humane, especially for the underprivileged and vulnerable.
In his remarks, the Controller of the Enugu Custodial Centre, Valins Obizue, hailed the Chief Judge and the State Government for their intervention, noting that the exercise would help decongest the correctional facility and promote inmate rehabilitation.
He also appealed for the exercise to be extended to the Nsukka and Oji River correctional centres, where several inmates are still awaiting trial.
The event was attended by judges, senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, and other key stakeholders in the justice sector.
