On Tuesday, the Chief Judge of Niger State, Halima Abdulmalik, released one inmate and granted four bail from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Suleja.

This was written in a press statement signed by the spokesperson, Adamu Duza, the Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory Command, was also made available to the newsmen.

As maintained by the statement, Justice Abdulmalik, who was led by the senior magistrates and other principal officials of the Ministry of Justice, “reviewed a total number of 60 cases, ranging from murder, kidnap, armed robbery among others. Four inmates were granted bail, and one was released.”

In her declaration,the chief judge said custodial centre visits “were statutory to ensure that justice is served.”

She further said that she would make sure  the judges and courts accepts the non-custodial service measures to the state as well as ensuring speedy access to justice.

However, she adviced the released inmate to stay-off crime while appreciating the authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service for their support in providing security and ensuring adequate coordination of the inmates in the custodial centre during the exercise.

Francis John, the FCT Controller of Corrections, also appreciated the Chief Justice and her team for the prompt intervention, as he pleaded with her to advise magistrates and justices in the state to adopt non-custodial service sentencing in order to reduce the number of inmates coming in to the custodial centre.

The controller of corrections, adviced the released inmate to behave well and as well make sure that they are engaged with any choice of trade to avoid going back to crime.

Abubakar Umar, the released inmate, appreciated the Chief Justice for finding him worthy to be pardoned.