Ebonyi: CJ frees one inmate, grants bail to nine

Chief Judge Elvis Ngene of Ebonyi, on Friday, conducted a jail delivery at Ukpa in Afikpo Local Government Area, where he released one inmate from the Afikpo Custodial Centre and granted bail to nine others.

A total of eighteen cases were reviewed: one inmate was discharged, nine were granted bail, and eight were remanded in custody.

Chief Judge Ngene explained that the purpose of the delivery was to utilize the powers granted by the 1999 Constitution, as amended, to alleviate overcrowding at the custodial centre. He emphasized that the initiative was not intended to allow suspects to leave freely but to offer relief to those who might have overstayed their sentences.

Ngene added that the exercise aimed to release individuals who had already completed their sentences but remained in custody due to delays in their cases.
“The exercise is also to grant bail to those who have been in custody over minor cases which are bailable offences and whose information on their cases has not been filed.

“The jail delivery is not for those standing trial for capital offences or those whose cases are already before courts of competent jurisdictions.

“Yes, the exercise will be regular. Another exercise will be carried out in December at the centre,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vera Ogwude, controller of correctional service, Ebonyi Command, commended the chief judge on the exercise aimed at decongesting the facility.

She urged the freed inmate to use the new freedom well and shun further indulgence in crime or criminality.

Ogwude noted that the Afikpo custodial centre was built to accommodate 160 inmates but regretted that the facility had more than 240 inmates.

One of the beneficiaries, John Chinemere, 18, said he was happy for the gesture and pledged not to engage in any unlawful act.

Chinemere, who was accused of stealing, was released to a guardian.