On Tuesday, 2nd of April 2024, Halima Abdulmalik, the Chief Judge of Niger State, released one prisoner and gave four others bail from the Medium Security Custodial Center in Suleja.

According to Punch, this information was provided in a press release signed by Adamu Duza, the Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal Capital Territory Command spokesperson. The statement states that Justice Abdulmalik “reviewed a total of 60 cases, ranging from murder, kidnapping, and armed robbery, among others.” Senior magistrates and other key officials of the Ministry of Justice accompanied him in this evaluation. In her statement, the Chief Judge claimed that inspections of detention centers “were statutory to ensure that justice is served.” Abdulmalik added that she will ensure courts and judges support the state’s non-custodial service initiatives and guarantee prompt access to justice.

While appreciating the Nigerian Correctional Service authorities’ assistance in providing security and ensuring proper coordination of the convicts in the detention center, the Chief Judge advised the released inmate to refrain from committing crimes.

Francis John, the Controller of Corrections for the Federal Capital Territory, expressed gratitude to the Chief Justice and her team for their prompt intervention. He also urged the Chief Justice to recommend non-custodial service sentencing to state magistrates and justices to decrease the influx of prisoners into the custodial center. John advised the freed prisoners to maintain excellent behavior and ensure they were profitably involved in an ideal trade to avoid crime.

Abubakar Umar, the freed inmate, thanked the Chief Justice for declaring him worthy of a pardon.

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