By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz
Yola
Adamawa state Chief Judge, Justice Ishaya Banu, yesterday released 85 awaiting trial inmates in Jimeta Prison in Yola.
Banu, who released the suspects during a jail delivery at the prison, also granted conditional bail to 33 others.
The chief judge said the measure was part of efforts to decongest prisons across the state, adding that the open sitting would continue in Jada and Numan prisons on Saturday, October 15.
He lauded the Jimeta prison authorities for the support and cooperation, and tasked released inmates to be of good behaviour.
“You need to keep off things that will bring you back to prison, be law abiding,” Banu said.
Also, the Assistant Controller in-Charge of Jimeta Prison, Mr. E. B. Bakari, lauded the committee for its commitment to decongest prisons in the state, and assured the Chief judge and members of his committee of Prison Service support in that direction.
One of the released inmates, Abdulmajid Peter, who spoke on behalf of others, thanked the chief judge and prison authorities for the gesture, and promised that they would strive to be responsible members of the society.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Comptroller in Charge Yola Prisons, Mr. Abubakar Abaka, said the 500-capacity prison built in 1914 is now hosting 814 inmates.
Abaka disclosed this while welcoming the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ishaya Banu, who is heading the Jail Delivery Committee for decongestion of prisons in the state.
Abaka explained that the inmates comprised 375 awaiting trial and 439 convicts comprising seven condemned criminals.
“Out of the 375 awaiting trials we have 66 armed robbery suspects in our custody, 125 culpable homicides suspects, 15 drugs suspects, one female detainee and 168 other offences,” he said.
He lauded the visit of the committee to the prison and expressed hope that at the end of their sitting some inmates would be pardoned.
