The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi, has pardoned 27 inmates across the six correctional centres in the state who remained in custody for their inability to pay fines and compensations.
He granted the releases through the efforts of the non-governmental organization “Victory Idewele Foundation,” which paid the fines and compensations of the inmates when the Chief Judge visited the correctional centres from Monday to Wednesday.
At Koton-Karfe Maximum Security Correctional Centre, two inmates, Mustapha Idris, who was fined N50,000, regained his freedom, while Kehinde Amaka, sentenced to one year imprisonment with a fine of N300,000, benefited from the gesture of the foundation but has to remain in custody until January 15, 2025, to complete his jail term.
Also, at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kabba, the Chief Judge released 20 inmates, while 5 inmates were released in Ankpa.
The Chief Judge, who stated that the essence of the visit was to ensure that no inmate is being detained unjustly, cautioned the magistrates against being used as agents of oppression.
He lamented the way and manner in which some prosecutors delay cases unnecessarily, causing awaiting trial inmates to stay long periods of time in custody.
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While commending the effort of the foundation, the Chief Judge said, “This visit is special and unique because, in the history of the state, this type of additional event during correctional centre visits has never happened before.
“Prior to our preparation for this visit, the chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Halidu Adejo, introduced Mr. Innocent Idewele to me, stating that he wanted to pay the fines and compensations of inmates so they could regain their freedom.
“I discussed with officers in charge of the correctional centres in Ankpa, Dekina, Idah, Koton-Karfe, Kabba, and Okene, and the inmates in the category amounted to ten million naira, which the foundation paid to the Kogi State government.
“The foundation also provided transport fare to all the freed inmates with a promise to take them to Abuja to train them in skill acquisition, with the assurance that the foundation will provide them with accommodation, feeding, and starter packs at the end of the training exercise.”
The Chief Judge commended the efforts of the chairman of Idah Local Government for the concern shown toward the custodial centre in the town and urged other local government chairmen to do the same in the interest of the state.
In his remarks, the founder of the foundation, Innocent Idewele, said the NGO is focused on changing human lives, especially those of the less privileged in society, noting that every need of the citizens should not be left for the government to tackle.
