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

The inmates, comprising 33 men and two women, were discharged during his visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Keffi, on Tuesday.

Justice Baba-Yusuf explained that the exercise was aimed at ensuring that individuals who should not be in custody are granted 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. Today we have been able to set free 35 people who have no business being here, and that is a huge boost,” he said.

He noted that such exercises would be conducted regularly to prevent unnecessary suffering of inmates who do not deserve detention.

The Chief Judge also directed the Director of Magistrates to strengthen oversight functions in lower courts to ensure proceedings are handled properly. He stressed that magistrates in the FCT had been urged to improve case management so that trials move faster and inmates can know their fate without delay.

In her remarks, Miss Cynthia Onyeka, Programme Officer of the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC), a Civil Society Organisation, commended the Chief Judge for visiting the custodial centres and prioritising inmates’ rights.