Akwa Ibom Frees 55 Inmates, Including Nursing Mother: A Step Toward Justice Reform

Photo credit: The guardian

To decongest correctional centers, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaette Fabian Obot, has released 55 inmates in the four centres of Ikot Abasi, Eket, Ikot-Ekpene and Uyo in the state.

Those released include a nursing mother who gave birth in custody, and a mentally challenged man.

Out of the 54 freed inmates, 18 were released on health grounds for sickness which ranged from leprosy, tuberculosis, kidney failure, HIV/AIDs, among others.

The jail delivery exercise, held for three days, was aimed at decongesting correctional Centers and offering a second chance to deserving inmates who have demonstrated signs of rehabilitation while in custody.

The Chief Judge, who meticulously reviewed the case files of each inmate during the special sessions, observed that most of them had committed minor offences and spent more time in custody than the required sentence if found guilty of the crimes.

She, therefore granted clemency to individuals whose trials were stalled or who have been held longer than their prospective sentences.

Obot also released some on compassionate and health grounds, while others were released due to a lack of diligent prosecution.

The CJ also released inmates with missing case files and others based on their progress, remorse, and dedication to self-improvement.

She urged them to be of good behavior and avoid anything that would bring them back to the correctional service.

Obot ordered the welfare unit of the Correctional Centre to trace the family of the mentally challenged man, Daniel Bassey Ukpong, so that he would be handed over to them for proper medical treatment.

Obot, however, observed that most of the inmates freed had spent between two and eight years in prison custody for minor offences without trial or charges, adding that their continuous detention without being taken to courts was a breach of their rights and a clog in the wheel of justice.

The CJ charged prosecutors with the need to ensure that no one is denied justice and not infringe on their fundamental human rights.

One of the beneficiaries from Ikot-Ekpene custodial center, Friday Okoro, had been in custody for over three years without trial for stealing his cousin’s coconuts.

Expressing appreciation to the Chief Judge, a mother of three currently nursing a two-month-old infant, Blessing Iniobong George narrated how she was arrested while pregnant on allegation of child theft which she was innocent of.

She said during the vigil of her late father-in-law, she was very weak having worked tirelessly with other women, adding that she slept off in a mat alongside other women around.

According to her, in the morning, one of the women said she lay her baby beside her and the baby got lost.

Blessing explained that the woman accused her of stealing her baby and all the entreaties from people fell on deaf ears as the woman got her arrested and asked her to produce her lost child or perish in jail.

Also, two siblings, Udeme Edet Etim and Unyime Edet Etim who were released narrated how their elder brother locked them up for five years on accusations of conspiracy and stealing.

“We have been having issues with our elder brother and one day he called the police.

“We were arrested, detained and later sent to prison in 2020, and they said we conspired to steal. Since that time, we have been here and have not gone to court,” they narrated.

From Eket custodial center, one Friday Nkereuwem who spent over two years in custody told the Chief Judge how she was arrested by the father of a girl he got pregnant and wanted to marry on the claims that he abducted his daughter.

“I am in prison because of the girl I love. The girl was pregnant for me and when she gave birth to our baby, I was very happy and out of excitement, I took her and the child to Calabar to introduce to my parents and explain to them what transpired.

“When we later came back to Akwa Ibom, my in-law arrested me that I abducted her daughter and that was how I came here.”

She also decried the issue of missing files and charged the Officer in Charge of Legal matters to take the concern she raised seriously.

Justice Fabian-Obot urged the released inmates to turn a new leaf and shun all acts that might bring them back to the custodial Centre.

Earlier, the officers in charge of the correctional facilities expressed appreciation to the CJ for the visit and decision to release the inmates.

They acknowledged the positive impact this action will have on the correctional system and highlighted the challenges they encounter in facility management.

Also, the Controller of Corrections Akwa Ibom State Command, Frank Okonkwo, extolled Justice Ekaette Fabian Obot for her dedication to justice and efforts to ensure equitable treatment for all individuals, including those in correctional facilities.