No fewer than 13 inmates have regained their freedom at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, MSCC, Suleja, following a jail delivery exercise carried out by the Nigeria State Judiciary.
Presiding over the jail delivery exercise on Monday, the Honourable Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, and her judicial team meticulously reviewed 55 cases of awaiting trial inmates and others eligible for consideration.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that three inmates were discharged and acquitted, and one was released on bail, while nine regained freedom based on exemplary behaviour and conduct, with directives to pay compensation.
Justice Abdulmalik commended the Correctional Service for its partnership in promoting justice.
“This jail delivery exercise is a testament to our shared resolve to ensure no one languishes in custody unjustly.
“We are not just decongesting facilities. We are restoring lives, upholding the rule of law, and paving the way for reformed citizens to contribute meaningfully to society.
“I urge all stakeholders to sustain this momentum for faster justice delivery,” he added.
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In his welcome address, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Jen, expressed profound gratitude to the Chief Judge for her visit.
Jen, however, highlighted ongoing rehabilitation programmes across facilities under his command, including vocational skills training and moral instruction at the Suleja centre.
He assured Justice Abdulmalik that the released inmates would be well-equipped for societal reintegration and would not return to custody.
“We are committed to preparing inmates for meaningful contributions to society because of the Correctional Service’s role in justice administration,” he emphasised.
Also speaking, Officer-in-Charge of the MSCC, Assistant Controller of Corrections Sunday Ejeh, expressed immense delight over the release of the inmates.
Ejeh said the exercise would inspire hope among remaining inmates and ease population pressures in the facility.
Echoing the narrative of Oliver Twist, he humbly requested more visits from the Chief Judge to further advance decongestion and rehabilitation efforts.
“This exercise motivates inmates and reinforces the importance of reform,” he said.
A highlight of the exercise was the Chief Judge’s tour to the vocational training centre, where she and her entourage witnessed inmates actively engaged in tailoring, shoe making, bag making, bead crafting, and cosmetics production.
NAN reports that the firsthand observation reinforced the transformative impact of custodial reforms on inmate reformation, in line with the Controller-General, Nigeria Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche’s vision of a modern correctional system.
The exercise underscores the judiciary’s commitment to justice delivery, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society.
NAN
