Kogi CJ Frees 19 Awaiting Trial Inmates from Prisons

By Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

No fewer than 19 inmates awaiting trial at Koton-Karfi and Okene Medium federal prisons have been released by the Chief Judge of the state,  Justice Nasidi Ajanah. 

The exercise was part of the effort of his office to decongest all the prisons in the state  

Ajanah gave the order of unconditional release to the inmates awaiting trial  after  reviewing their cases.  

Of the number,  six  were released from Okene facility while the rest were from the Koton-Karfi prisons.  

At Koton-Karfi,  it was discovered that there were 228 inmates consisting of 173 awaiting trial, 51 convicts  and four life sentences out of which 13 were set free.  

Those granted unconditional release were Mohammed Hassan, Yahaya Musa, Yusuf Sanni, Ibrahim Haliru, Mohammed Sani, Abdul Mudi, Nuhu Usman, Alhaji Shanga, Nura Suleiman, Gabriel Atoge and Hawal Tijani.  

Bala Ibrahim was granted bail for N10,000 with a surety resident in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital. 

 Ajanah said the number of awaiting trial far exceeded the number those convicted.  

He commended both the personnel of the Nigeria Prisons and the magistrate in the Koton Karfe/Lokoja jurisdiction for a job well done  

The chief judge said 160 awaiting trials not released or granted  bail were facing serious offences and due to the security situation.  

The chief judge directed the magistrate court to dispense accelerated judgement to Nicholas Ojochegbe, who is a final year student of the Kogi state University, Ayingba department of mathematics. 

In Okene Medium Prison, six inmates awaiting trial were released. The facility has 126 inmates and out that  41 were convicted the court,  while 82 are awaiting trial.  

He noted that he was not happy with the Police prosecutors and the Ministry of Justice the way they handled cases.  

He charged them to be proactive and not to be delaying cases. 

The Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajanah is expected to visit Idah,  Ankpa and Kabba Prisons for the continuation of Prisons tour in the state.