The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Ekaete Fabian F-Obot, has concluded a weeklong inspection of correctional centres across the state, culminating in the release of 63 additional inmates from the medium security custodial facility in Uyo, the state capital. This latest exercise brings the total number of freed inmates to 100—an unprecedented figure that surpasses records from similar inspections since the state’s creation.
Welcoming the Chief Judge to the facility, the Officer in Charge, DCC Ezekiel Ebenezer Inyang, described the visit as timely, noting that the custodial centre is currently grappling with severe overcrowding. He revealed that the facility, originally built in 1912, now houses over 1,600 inmates and is significantly overstretched.
He further recounted the impact of a recent windstorm accompanied by heavy rainfall on Tuesday, February 17, which damaged three cell blocks and brought down part of the perimeter fence, plunging the facility into disarray. Despite the destruction, he confirmed that there were no casualties or escape incidents.
The release of the 63 inmates followed a careful review of their cases, including input from the Director of Public Prosecution, court clerks, and medical personnel within the correctional system. Of the total, 24 inmates were discharged on special grounds, while 39 others were freed on compassionate considerations, missing case files, trumped-up charges, and lack of diligent prosecution.
Among the special cases were 20 inmates suffering from serious health conditions. One of them, Godwin Francis Etim, who is battling tuberculosis, was referred to the Infectious Disease Hospital in Ikot Ekpene for treatment. A pregnant inmate in her final trimester, facing medical complications beyond the facility’s capacity, was also released to access proper care.
Another notable case was that of Magdalene Bassey Edet, whose situation highlighted the importance of regular inspection. She had been convicted by two different courts on separate charges arising from the same offence. Having already completed a 10-year sentence, she was serving an additional two-year term for the same matter having been convicted by another court while serving the 10 year term. In granting her release, the Chief Judge acknowledged the report of her good conduct and placed her on probation for the remaining two years, requiring her to report every three months. She, however, warned that any further offence would result in her return to custody to complete the outstanding sentence.
Among those released on other grounds were four inmates whose cases could not proceed due to missing files, reportedly linked to the prolonged illness of a prosecutor absent for about three years. Six others were found to have been wrongfully charged. One such case involved Idara Christopher Kingsley, who had been detained in place of her husband after reporting a machete assault against her. Her husband was wanted in connection with a fight involving family members, but she was instead arrested.
In her remarks, the Chief Judge urged all released inmates to maintain good conduct and refrain from returning to crime. She also criticized the practice by some police officers of obtaining remand orders and abandoning cases without returning to court after the stipulated 21 days. She advised magistrates to take proactive steps by fixing dates to strike out such cases and notifying relevant parties, emphasizing that cases should be struck out where there is failure to follow due process.
It can be recalled that virtual visits to correctional facilities in Ikot Abasi, Eket and Ikot Ekpene last week resulted in the release of 37 inmates. While two were probationally freed at the Ikot Abasi center eight were released at the Eket facility on compassionate grounds. 27 were released at Ikot Ekpene, 8 of which were recommended on health grounds, while 19 were as a result of missing case files, compassion and want of diligent prosecution.
