By Okon Bassey in Uyo
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom, Justice Stephen Okon, on has ordered the release of 14 inmates from prison formations across the state.
He gave the directive during an inspection of the Federal Prisons in Ikot Abasi where two inmates were released and Eket, where one was released as well as Ikot Ekpene and Uyo Local Government Areas of the state where one and 10 respectively were released.
He said that the essence of the visit was to see that people weren’t unduly kept in custody other than when they were supposed to be released.
“There were instances in which case files were not seen and the accused persons were not taken to court, so in that case if it has been established that the case file cannot be located then we have no choice than to have the person released and that is what we have been doing,’’ Okon said.
He charged the inmates to be on good behaviour and called on the family the release not to discriminate against them but to reintegrate them into the society.
The Chief Judge encouraged the released prisoners to contribute meaningfully to the development of the state.
“If only people will understand that these people are part and parcel of Nigerians, they have to be reintegrated into the society.
“They have to be empowered and encourage to assist them to grow the society,’’ Okon said.
He said that the Ministry was committed to decongest prisons across the states urging the inmates to be law abiding.
Okon urged judiciary officials’ to discharge their duties diligently to forestall cases lingering in the court and avoid the delay of inmates in the prisons.
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