Justice Aisha Bashir, Chief Judge (CJ) of Nasarawa State has released 57 inmates awaiting trials at the five Federal Correctional Centres in the state.
The CJ released the inmates during her routine visit to Lafia, Wamba, Nasarawa Medium, Keffi Old and Keffi Modern Custodian Centres respectively.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the visit to the custodian facilities at Wamba Local Government Area (LGA), Justice Aisha Bashir said the tour was a routine exercise to review cases of awaiting trials inmates with a view of ensuring that justice is served.
She gave the breakdown of those released from various custodian facilities as; Lafia 25, Wamba eight, Nasarawa nine, Keffi Modern Custodian Centre nine and six from Keffi Old Custodian Centre respectively.
“The exercise is aimed at seeing to the health and well-being of the inmates and discharge those who were wrongly detained.
“The custodian facilities were not mend to punish the inmates, but to reform them and make them better persons afterward,” she added.
She urged judges of lower courts to desist from sending accused persons to correctional centres unnecessary so that the facilities would not be congested.
“Always try settlement plea bargain to settle parties except if it is unavoidable before you sent accused to custodian centres,” she added.
She warned the discharged inmates to stay away from crimes or if caught again would face the maximum punishment.
The Chief Judge also warned judiciary staff against indulging in corrupt practices and said that anyone caught would be sanction accordingly.
On his part, Mallam Inusa Adamu, Controller of Corrections in Nasarawa State, expressed gratitude to the CJ for the visit which usually brings hope, peace and sustain security in the facilities.
The Controller appealed to the CJ to ensure that judges adopt the instrument of alternative dispute resolution especially for persons accused of minor offences in order to decongest the facilities.
He added that most of the custodian centres were already overstretched, carrying more than two times there original capacities.
The controller therefore promised to remain committed to protecting the society through provision of safe and humane custody for all inmates. (NAN).