By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, has freed 5-awaiting trial inmates from correctional facilities across the state, even as she warned youths to always avoid crimes.
The lucky inmates regained their freedom on Thursday when the CJ led the state Committee on Prerogative of Mercy on a routine quarterly visit to review their cases.
The Bauchi Chief Judge, expressed dismay with the absence of prosecutors during her commmitte's visit at the various correctional centres across the state.
Justice Rabi Umar explained that the absence of prosecutors or late arrival to the quarterly review and exercise has been stalling proceedings as, according to her, without a prosecutor to advance evidence or give information on any particular case, such a case cannot be reviewed for either bail or set free of the person (s) involved.
At Bauchi custodial centre, Justice Rabi set free three accused persons for alleged culpable homicide; kidnapping; criminal conspiracy, trespass, and armed robbery, who have spent six years, and four years each respectively without trials, not even attending to the court of law.
The Chief Judge noted with concern that on several past sittings of the committee, the accused case files could not be traced for review, saying leaving them in confinement for unforeseeable period of time could be against their fundamental rights to freedom, hence the committee's resolve to set them free.
One of the accused (name withhold) had told the committee that he was randomly arrested at a market doing a legitimate duty as a loader following an upholding brigandage that arose from an annual wrestling jamboree in one of the Local Government Area headquarters of Bauchi state.
She therefore urged prosecutors to exhibit greater diligence in their day-to-day duties, especially in quick conclusion of investigations and presenting prompt evidence to the appropriate channels to avoid unnecessary delays in court proceedings, and advised the freeing inmate to be law-abiding, and engage in legal activities that could benefit themselves, their families, and the society at large.
She admonished the youth in the state to avoid the get-rich-quick syndrome, which often led them to prison and called on parents and guardians to properly bring up their children and wards.
Justice Rabi, who chairs the Administration of Justice Committee, and whose review exercise took her to Darazo, Misau, Azare, Jama'are and Ningi correctional centres, had at Ningi granted bail to two awaiting trials inmates (ATM), and asked those in confinement to reform themselves and to be of examplary behaviours when back into the larger society after serving their jail terms.
Also speaking during the exercise, the Bauchi State Controller of Correctional Centres, CCS Isa Nuru Mohammed expressed his gratitude to the Chief Judge for her commitment and for taking the time to personally inspect the custodial centres.
CCS Isa Mohammed also acknowledged the vital role being played by the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) in supporting the decongestion efforts, and encouraged the released inmates to demonstrate good behavior as they reintegrate into society.
The exercise is part of the ongoing efforts to decongest the correctional facilities across the state, and promote timely administration of justice. During the two-day visit, Hon. Justice Rabi Talatu Umar reviewed several cases of inmates awaiting trials, and exercise judicial discretion in ordering the release of those deemed eligible. End
