Three prisoners from the state’s Federal Prison Kabba who were awaiting trial were yesterday unconditionally discharged by acting Kogi State Chief Judge Justice Josiah Majebi.
Peter Adeiza Onsachi, who was detained in Okene on suspicion of culpable homicide, causing a miscarriage, impersonation, and public annoyance, was also sent to the Okene high court for a trial, per Justice Majebi’s ruling.
Mustapha Ibrahim, who had been detained for four months on charges of conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating, and intimidation, was among those released unconditionally. Obeh Jamiu Ozovehe, who had been detained for culpable homicide, was also released based on the Ministry of Justice’s recommendation as relayed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Idris Mohammed, arrested for armed robbery was also granted unconditional release for lack of evidence to prosecute him in the law court.
The CJ however charged the released inmates to go home and exhibit good behaviour in their various communities.
He assured the remaining inmates whose cases were at various stages of trial that very soon, their cases would be reviewed and “those who should not be here would have been released.’’
Majebi who advised all magistrates to ensure that they have the knowledge of cases they handled before the visit, also warned the officials of the correctional centre in Kogi State against keeping accused persons without proper authority to avoid legal action.
He commended Governor Yahaya Bello for his support to the judiciary in the state. The officer-in-charge of the prison, Shuaibu Ishaku commended the acting chief judge and judicial officers in Kabba for their efforts at decongesting the custodial centre.
He disclosed that Kabba correctional centre has the capacity of 200 inmates, but currently accommodated 274 inmates due to flooding that ravaged Koton-Karfe prison, noting that 65 inmates were convicted while 209 were awaiting trial in various courts.