21 inmates pardoned as Akwa Ibom Chief Judge inspects Correctional facilities  

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Honourable Justice Ekaete Obot, has visited some custodial centres on her maiden tour of correctional facilities in the state. The jail delivery exercise commenced on Wednesday 29 June, 2022 at Ikot Abasi custodial centre and continued into the weekend with 21 inmates released from the various facilities.

On arrival at the centres, the Honourable Chief Judge was well received and conducted round the facilities by the respective officers in charge.

In their welcome addresses, the officers in charge of the various centres welcomed the judiciary helmsperson and her entourage to the centres and used the opportunity to highlight some of the challenges confronting the facilities and the service at large.

The Chief Judge, in her response, expressed surprise at the overwhelming number of inmates locked up in each centre and urged the Nigerian Correctional Service to uphold the tenet of correction not only in name but also in practice with commitment to skills acquisition and vocational trainings of the inmates.

Justice Obot also promised to communicate the plight of the service to the state government and other relevant authorities adding that she will make the visit a regular exercise.

The Controller of Corrections Akwa Ibom State Command, Julius Ezugwu, in his remark, appreciated the Honourable Chief Judge of the state for finding time amidst her busy schedule to inspect the custodial centres. He noted that the criminal justice system can only be effective when there is a collaboration among the relevant agencies that administer the system.

High point of his speech was the presentation of a beautifully crafted hand fan to the Honourable Chief Judge on behalf of the inmates of Uyo Custodial centre.