Ebonyi Chief Judge Sets Free 20 Inmates In Abakaliki Prison
By Joyce Aroh Abakaliki
The Chief Judge Of Ebonyi, Justice Anselem Nwigwe, has freed 20 inmates from Abakaliki Prison.
The inmates were freed when the chief judge visited the facility on Tuesday in Abakaliki.
Nwigwe, who noted that the exercise was part of efforts to decongest correctional centres in view of the ravaging coronavirus pandemic.
“We have released 20 inmates; 14 of them were granted conditional bail and will leave the facility once they fulfill the bail conditions.
“we granted bail to four on self recognisance, while two were discharged.
“The exercise is aimed at complementing the state government’s efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the country.
“We have adjourned the exercise till May 6. It is a continuous one to decongest the custodial centres and enhance social distancing among inmates,” Nwigwe said.
Mrs Emelia Oputa, the Controller of Correctional Services (CCS), Ebonyi Command said that the exercise had become imperative due to congestion in most of the correctional facilities, stressing that there was the need to create room for social distancing due to the pandemic.
“The jail delivery has given opportunity to those who ordinarily wouldn’t have regained freedom.
“The exercise is helping to decongest the facility because as at two months ago, we had about 1,200 inmates. but now, we have 1,056 inmates.” She said
