In a decisive effort to tackle prison congestion, the Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Mohammed, has ordered the release of 85 inmates from correctional facilities across the state.
The action followed a series of inspection visits conducted between Tuesday and Friday last week by the Criminal Justice and Inquiry Committee, led by Justice Mohammed, to custodial centres in Gombe, Billiri, Cham, and Tula.
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the inspection led to the unconditional release of 42 inmates and the conditional release of 38 others from the Gombe Medium Security Custodial Centre. At the Billiri centre, three inmates were released unconditionally, while two were freed on conditional terms.
During the visits, Justice Mohammed emphasized that the primary objective was to identify eligible inmates for release and promote the welfare of all inmates. She encouraged convicted inmates to be patient in serving their terms and reminded them that only the state governor has the constitutional power to grant pardons.
Speaking to the freed inmates, the Chief Judge advised them to embrace rehabilitation and become positive contributors to society.
Also addressing the delegation, Controller of Corrections in Gombe State, Salihu Abdullahi, raised concerns over severe overcrowding at the Gombe Medium Security Custodial Centre. Originally built in 1919 to accommodate 379 inmates, the facility currently holds a staggering 1,076 inmates.
Abdullahi disclosed the breakdown:
- 628 inmates are awaiting trial,
- 344 have been convicted, and
- 101 are on death row.
He warned that such overcrowding violates the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019, which mandates humane conditions in correctional facilities.
The release exercise is in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which empowers chief judges to carry out routine oversight visits to correctional and detention facilities within their..
