The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Fabian-Obot, has ordered the release of 37 inmates from correctional facilities across the state, citing prolonged detention and lack of diligent prosecution.
The decision was delivered virtually on Thursday during her routine inspection of custodial centres in Ikot Abasi, Eket, and Ikot Ekpene.
The inspection exercise, which commenced earlier in the week, will be concluded with a visit to the Uyo custodial centre next Tuesday.
Out of the 37 inmates released, eight were granted freedom on health grounds, while 29 were discharged on compassionate grounds and due to lack of prosecution.
Specifically, two inmates were freed from Ikot Abasi, eight from Eket, and 27 from Ikot Ekpene.
During court sessions held within the facilities, Justice Fabian-Obot strongly criticised the practice of detaining suspects for years without trial, describing it as unconstitutional.
She emphasised that many of the cases reviewed lacked proper prosecution, while others were based on weak or questionable charges.
Addressing the freed individuals, she urged them to maintain good behaviour and avoid actions that could return them to custody.
Among those released was 18-year-old Charity Augustine, who had spent more than a year in detention over allegations of stealing garri.
The judge said her age and the minor nature of the offence informed the decision to grant her freedom on compassionate grounds.
However, she was placed on a six-month probation with supervision.
Two convicts, Aniekan John and Ndifreke Koffi, were also released from the Ikot Abasi facility before completing their sentences.
They were instructed to report to the centre every three months as part of efforts to monitor their conduct.
Several other detainees who had spent over three years awaiting trial for minor offences, including fighting, assault, and theft of farm produce, were also freed.
Some individuals arrested during the EndSARS protests were among those released.
The Chief Judge called on legal practitioners and law enforcement agencies to handle cases more efficiently to prevent unnecessary delays that worsen congestion in correctional facilities.
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She also stressed the need for support systems to help reintegrate released inmates, including providing transportation to return them to their communities.
Meanwhile, officials in charge of the facilities highlighted worsening conditions within the centres.
At the Ikot Ekpene custodial centre, Deputy Controller of Corrections Boniface Momoh disclosed that the facility, originally built for 400 inmates, currently accommodates over 700.
He identified key challenges such as inadequate water supply, lack of operational vehicles, and rising fuel costs, and appealed for urgent government intervention.
Momoh specifically urged Umo Eno to address the deteriorating state of correctional facilities in the state.
