From Esther Akaa, Lafia
The newly confirmed Chief Judge (CJ) of Nasarawa State, Justice Aisha Bashir, has discharged 47 inmates who were awaiting trial in four federal custodian centres in the state.
Justice Bashir who is the first female chief judge in the state, disclosed this on Thursday in Wamba Local Government Area (LGA) after concluding a tour of custodian centres across the state since assumption to office in December 2020.
According to her, the visit was in line with the presidential directive to decongest custodian facilities as part of measure to contain further spread of COVID-19, assuring that the state judiciary under her watch would work tirelessly toward ensuring speedy administration of justice as well as tackling the menace of justice stagnation.
Giving the breakdown of inmates released, Justice Bashir said 30 inmates were released from the Lafia Custodian Centre while six were released from Nasarawa Custodian Centre.
Others equally released were eight inmates from Keffi Custodian Centre and three from Wamba Custodian Centre.
The CJ further said the Criminal Justice Committee in the state would soon come up with modalities to ensure that those whose cases were stagnated for so many years without progress get their cases concluded and justice delivered.
“I have also asked that names of inmates that had stayed for five years and above be compiled for onward submission to the Executive Governor of the state for pardon.
“We recommend to the governor to grant them pardon as part of efforts to ensure justice is served as well as decongest custodian facilities,” she said.
Justice Bashir was confirmed Chief Justice of Nasarawa State recently, by the National Judicial Commission (NJC), following the retirement of Justice Sulieman Dikko from active service.
