Kano CJ releases six inmates held for years without prosecution

The Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu-Aboki, has ordered the release of six inmates who had spent the longest period in custody across correctional centres in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued on Friday in Kano by the Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Kano State Command, Musbahu Lawan.

This is coming at a time following ongoing challenges within Nigeria’s criminal justice system, particularly issues surrounding prolonged pre-trial detention and overcrowded correctional facilities.

In many Nigerian states, inmates often spend years in custody without trial, largely due to missing case files, inefficient prosecution, or systemic delays in the judicial process. This leads to severe human rights concerns and places a heavy burden on correctional centres.

According to him, Abdu-Aboki granted the release during her official working visit to custodial facilities in the state.

Lawan quoted Abdu-Aboki as saying that the release was made due to the absence of active prosecution, missing case files, and prolonged delays in their legal proceedings.

She said the action was in line with her commitment to reform and improve the administration of justice in the state.

The CJ called for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders in the justice system, especially the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the Attorney General of Kano, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, for the timely dispensation of justice and to reduce prolonged pre-trial detention.

She advised the released inmates to become good ambassadors of society, desist from crime, and contribute positively to their communities.

The Controller of Corrections, Kano State Command, Mr Ado Inuwa, also cautioned the freed inmates to abide by the law and refrain from any act that could return them to incarceration.

Inuwa commended the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Indidi-Nwakuche, for his commitment to inmates’ welfare and rehabilitation through skills acquisition programmes and education aimed at making them self-reliant.

Nigeria’s criminal justice system has long struggled with pre-trial detention, where thousands of inmates remain in custody for months or even years without trial.

Many are detained due to missing case files, slow investigations, poor legal representation, or a lack of coordination between agencies like the police, judiciary, and correctional service.

The Nigerian Correctional Service has repeatedly raised concerns over overcrowded prisons, with more than 70 per cent of inmates across the country being awaiting-trial prisoners. This situation contributes to poor prison conditions, human rights violations, and a backlog of unresolved cases.

(NAN)