In a decisive effort to decongest correctional centres across Adamawa State, the State Jail Delivery Committee (JDC), led by the Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, has ordered the release of 57 inmates and granted bail to 29 others at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Jimeta.
The latest exercise, part of the committee’s periodic review of cases, also resulted in the conviction of 52 inmates and a downward review of three cases.
The Jimeta custodial facility, built to accommodate 300 inmates, currently holds 339—far above its intended capacity.
The jail delivery initiative aims to address such overcrowding by fast-tracking justice, reviewing delayed cases, and releasing inmates who qualify under the law.
With this round of interventions, a total of 141 inmates have benefitted from the committee’s efforts at the Jimeta centre.
Addressing journalists after the exercise, Justice Abdulrahman cautioned the freed individuals to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions that could return them to crime or detention.
She expressed appreciation for her committee members and the management of the facility for their cooperation and commitment.
One of the beneficiaries, Haggai Audi, who spoke on behalf of the released inmates, thanked the committee for giving them another chance at life.
He pledged that they would turn over a new leaf and prayed for the Chief Judge’s continued success and elevation.
In an additional show of support, the State Coordinator of the Public-Private Development Centre (PPDC) under the “Know Your Rights” initiative, Miss Motunrayo Anibaba, disclosed that the group settled compensation fees for four inmates.
She revealed that PPDC has allocated ₦1 million to offset fines for inmates involved in civil-related offences.
Anibaba applauded the Chief Judge and the JDC for sustaining the exercise while also commending the cordial partnership between the judiciary and her organisation.