Gombe Chief Judge Frees 185 Prison Inmates

The Gombe State Criminal Justice and Inquiry Committee, under the leadership of the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Halima Mohammed, has recently authorized the release of 185 inmates from various custodial centres across the state.

This decision was taken to alleviate prison congestion and ensure the welfare of the inmates.

During her visit to the Billiri Correctional Centre, Justice Mohammed commended the committee’s diligent efforts in ensuring that only eligible inmates were set free.

She also lauded the unwavering support and commitment of the committee members in executing this initiative successfully.

The released inmates encompassed a range of cases, with 75 individuals at the Gombe Correctional Centre being granted bail, 61 released unconditionally, and 10 freed due to exemplary conduct.

Similarly, at the Billiri Correctional Centre, six inmates were released on bail, 26 unconditionally, and seven based on their good behaviour while in custody.

Justice Mohammed emphasized the significance of upholding justice and urged all magistrates in the state to thoroughly assess each case before passing judgments.

Protests: FG Declares Prisons ‘Red Zones’

In other reports earlier, before the commencement of the nationwide hunger protest, the Federal Government declared all its 256 custodial centres across the country as “red zones”, whose sanctity must not be violated under any guise.

Naija News reports that the Controller General of Corrections, Hailey Nababa, gave the warning in a statement released in Abuja last Tuesday.

Nababa, in a statement released through the service spokesman, Abubakar Danlami Umar, said, “In view of the purported national protest scheduled to be held on the first day of August 2024, the Nigerian Correctional Service wishes to inform the public that the Custodial Centres have been designated as red zones; therefore, any person or group of persons who have no business whatsoever, should steer clear.

“Furthermore, the Service wishes to enjoin the public that Custodial and Non-custodial Centres are critical national assets which are germane to public safety as well as national security.

“Tampering with or attacking them will lead to breakdown of law and order, and further exacerbate the security of the society in general.

“The Service strongly advises all members of the public to join hands with the Service to ensure the protection of correctional facilities. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place to ensure that no correctional facility is defiled.

“The Ministry of Interior Joint Taskforce (MOIJTF) has been activated to provide extra security in and around custodial facilities nationwide.

“The Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa FICMC, MFR, mni, appreciates the continuous cooperation of members of the public in ensuring peace and tranquillity in and around correctional centres nationwide. The public is also advised to report any suspicious plan or movement to our email: [email protected] or to our official website: www.corrections.gov.ng or call 09060004598 or 08075050006 directly.”