“No One Should Be Behind Bars Unjustly” — FCT CJ Baba-Yusuf Orders Release Of 35 Inmates In Keffi

Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has freed 35 inmates awaiting trial from two custodial centres in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The inmates, comprising 32 males and three females, were discharged during the chief judge’s visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, on Tuesday.

Baba-Yusuf explained that the exercise was part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities and ensure that individuals unjustly held in custody regain their freedom.

“There are a lot of people who shouldn’t be here in the first place. This visit is to ensure that people who have no business being here are not kept behind doors, not even for one day. That is what we have done. Today we have been able to set free 35 people who have no business being here and that is a huge boost,” he said.

The chief judge stressed that such interventions would be carried out routinely to prevent unnecessary suffering of detainees who should not remain in custody.

He also directed the Director of Magistrates in the FCT to intensify oversight on magistrate courts to ensure proceedings run smoothly and cases are concluded without undue delay.

“In addition, magistrates handling cases in FCT courts have been chastised to improve case management strategies so that trials run expeditiously and inmates are able to know their fate,” he added.

Reacting to the development, Cynthia Onyeka, Programme Officer at the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), a civil society organisation, commended Justice Baba-Yusuf for personally visiting the custodial centres and prioritising the rights of inmates.

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