The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah has
released a total number of forty-one inmates from all the six
correctional centres in Kogi State to avoid the spread of COVID-19
as directed by the federal government and state government.
On Monday, a total of thirty-five inmates regained freedom from
Koton-Karfi, Kabba and Okene correctional centres.
However, on Tuesday, six inmates regain freedom from Ankpa,
Dekina and Idah correctional centres in Kogi East after Justice
Ajanah reviewed their cases.
Justice Ajanah who first visited Dekina correctional centre said
that the exercise was in line with the federal government directive
to decongest correctional centres to avoid COVID-19 pandemic that
is ravaging the entire world recently.
According to him “The decongestion exercise differs from the
normal exercise we normally conducted annually. The reason for this
particular exercise was at the instance of the directive from the
federal government to all the states to decongest correctional
centres to prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are here to look into some cases with minor offences or some
inmates that may be sick and such sickness can be contagious to
other inmates in the centres. Also, some inmates who have stayed
for too long in the custodial centres as a result of minor offences
without trial were also released unconditionally”
Reviewing the case of Muhammad Isah arrested for intimidation
and assault, the Chief Judge said from the explanation made by the
defendant, it seems an influential person sought to oppressed
another person, saying the law does not permit such act.
He, therefore, ruled that the continuous detention of the
defendant at the correctional centre is unjustifiable and granted
him unconditionally release.
Also at Ankpa custodial centre, Simon Onah arrested for
attempted rape regain his freedom after the review of his case by
the Chief Judge.
While reviewing his case Justice Ajanah said the defendant was
alleged to have attempted to rape and from the story narrated by
the suspect, he (defendant) was ignorant of the case levelled
against him.
The Chief Judge frown that the details and the facts of the
offence was not provided and therefore granted him unconditional
release.
Similarly, in Idah Salihu Ibrahim who was arrested for criminal
conspiracy and theft more than a month ago was released for lack of
evidence against him.
Hassan Muhammad detained in Dekina correctional centre for
alleged child right law, Adukwu William arrested for not being able
to produce the receipt of unserviceable generator bought from a
vendor and Ojochegbe Sule arrested for trespass also benefited from
the decongestion of the centres.
The Chief Judge, however, handed over the money to all the
released inmates to enable them to transport themselves back to
their various destinations, noting that the money was from the Kogi
State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to ease their movement from the
centres to their homes.
Justice Ajanah who donated hand sanitizer, face mask, plastic
buckets and other valuables to the correctional centres, warned
those released to go home and embark on meaningful ventures that
would improve their standard of living and shun any negative
attitude that can push them into trouble.
The Kogi State Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Service
Center, Mr Ohiakosim Malachy Chimezie in his remark commended the
federal government and the state government for their initiative,
assuring that the items donated to the centres would be utilized
for the benefits of the inmates and the officers of the centres
The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Nasiru Ajanah has
released a total number of forty-one inmates from all the six
correctional centres in Kogi State to avoid the spread of COVID-19
as directed by the federal government and state government.
On Monday, a total of thirty-five inmates regained freedom from
Koton-Karfi, Kabba and Okene correctional centres.
However, on Tuesday, six inmates regain freedom from Ankpa,
Dekina and Idah correctional centres in Kogi East after Justice
Ajanah reviewed their cases.
Justice Ajanah who first visited Dekina correctional centre said
that the exercise was in line with the federal government directive
to decongest correctional centres to avoid COVID-19 pandemic that
is ravaging the entire world recently.
According to him “The decongestion exercise differs from the
normal exercise we normally conducted annually. The reason for this
particular exercise was at the instance of the directive from the
federal government to all the states to decongest correctional
centres to prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are here to look into some cases with minor offences or some
inmates that may be sick and such sickness can be contagious to
other inmates in the centres. Also, some inmates who have stayed
for too long in the custodial centres as a result of minor offences
without trial were also released unconditionally”
Reviewing the case of Muhammad Isah arrested for intimidation
and assault, the Chief Judge said from the explanation made by the
defendant, it seems an influential person sought to oppressed
another person, saying the law does not permit such act.
He, therefore, ruled that the continuous detention of the
defendant at the correctional centre is unjustifiable and granted
him unconditionally release.
Also at Ankpa custodial centre, Simon Onah arrested for
attempted rape regain his freedom after the review of his case by
the Chief Judge.
While reviewing his case Justice Ajanah said the defendant was
alleged to have attempted to rape and from the story narrated by
the suspect, he (defendant) was ignorant of the case levelled
against him.
The Chief Judge frown that the details and the facts of the
offence was not provided and therefore granted him unconditional
release.
Similarly, in Idah Salihu Ibrahim who was arrested for criminal
conspiracy and theft more than a month ago was released for lack of
evidence against him.
Hassan Muhammad detained in Dekina correctional centre for
alleged child right law, Adukwu William arrested for not being able
to produce the receipt of unserviceable generator bought from a
vendor and Ojochegbe Sule arrested for trespass also benefited from
the decongestion of the centres.
The Chief Judge, however, handed over the money to all the
released inmates to enable them to transport themselves back to
their various destinations, noting that the money was from the Kogi
State governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello to ease their movement from the
centres to their homes.
Justice Ajanah who donated hand sanitizer, face mask, plastic
buckets and other valuables to the correctional centres, warned
those released to go home and embark on meaningful ventures that
would improve their standard of living and shun any negative
attitude that can push them into trouble.
The Kogi State Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Service
Center, Mr Ohiakosim Malachy Chimezie in his remark commended the
federal government and the state government for their initiative,
assuring that the items donated to the centres would be utilized
for the benefits of the inmates and the officers of the centres