Enugu Chief Judge Frees 86 Inmates 

The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Raymond Ozoemena, has granted bail and ordered the discharge of 86 inmates from the Enugu Custodial Centre during the flag-off of the 2025 Jail Delivery Exercise held on Thursday in Enugu.

Among those released was an 86-year-old man from Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area, who regained his freedom on health and humanitarian grounds.

Speaking during the event, Justice Ozoemena described the jail delivery as a sacred judicial duty aimed at upholding the rule of law and protecting the fundamental rights of persons awaiting trial. He explained that the exercise allows the judiciary to review cases of inmates whose trials have been delayed or stalled, ensuring that no one is unjustly deprived of liberty.

“This is a statutory duty imposed on the Chief Judge of every state to ensure that inmates in correctional centres have their cases reviewed where the wheel of justice has been slow. I consider this a sacred obligation to protect the constitutional rights of every citizen and to ensure that justice is both fair and timely,” he stated.

The Chief Judge commended his predecessors for sustaining the tradition of the jail delivery exercise, emphasizing that it remains an essential mechanism for maintaining public confidence in the justice system. He also appreciated judges of the Enugu State Judiciary, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the management of the Enugu Custodial Centre for their continued collaboration and dedication to justice delivery.

Justice Ozoemena further expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his administration’s unwavering support to the judiciary, particularly the financial and logistical assistance provided to facilitate the 2025 jail delivery exercise. He reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that justice remains accessible, fair, and humane, especially for the underprivileged and vulnerable members of society.

In his remarks, the Controller of the Enugu Custodial Centre, Mr. Valins Obizue, commended the Chief Judge and the state government for their intervention, describing the exercise as a major step towards decongesting custodial facilities and promoting the rehabilitation of inmates. He appealed for the extension of the exercise to the Nsukka and Oji River Correctional Centres, where many inmates are still awaiting trial.

The event was attended by judges, senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, and other stakeholders in the justice sector.