The Chief Judge of Ekiti State has ordered the release of 51 inmates who were awaiting trial across custodial centres in the state, while also granting bail to six other detainees, in a move aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and promoting speedy justice.
The decision was taken during a routine jail delivery exercise, where the Chief Judge reviewed several cases involving inmates who had spent extended periods in custody without trial or were held for minor offences.
According to the judiciary, many of the freed inmates had no case files, faced prolonged delays, or had already spent time in detention longer than the maximum sentence for their alleged offences.
The Chief Judge emphasized the importance of upholding fundamental human rights and ensuring that justice is not denied through unnecessary delays. She also warned law enforcement agencies against indiscriminate arrests and the detention of suspects without diligent prosecution.
The six inmates granted bail were said to have met the required conditions, with the court urging them to comply strictly with all bail terms.
Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service present during the exercise welcomed the development, noting that the intervention would significantly reduce congestion and improve living conditions within the facilities.
The jail delivery exercise forms part of ongoing judicial reforms in Ekiti State aimed at strengthening the justice system and ensuring fairness for all.
