Speaking on Thursday after a three-day working visit to the facilities, Gombe State Chief Judge, Halima Mohammed, explained that no fewer than 141 inmates were released from the Gombe Minimum Custodial Centre.
She disclosed that 41 others were released from the Billiri Custodial Centre, noting that they were set free after they were duly profiled and found to have exhibited good conduct.
Mohammed said, “We have found 45 inmates awaiting trial for minor offences. 85 others were released on bail. 11 others who were found to have good behaviour were also released. A total of 141 inmates were released from the Gombe Minimum Custodial Centre.
“At the Billiri Custodial Centre, 10 inmates were released, 20 were released on bail, and 11 others were released because they were found to be of good behaviour, making a total of 41 inmates to be released from the Billiri Custodial Centre. At the end of the exercise, across five custodial centres in the state, a total of 182 inmates were released through the Criminal Justice Reform Committee.”
Mohammed commended officials of the Gombe State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service for their far-reaching efforts to support the inmates.
“55 inmates were released unconditionally, 105 were released on bail, and 22 inmates serving terms for various offences were released based on their good behaviour while serving their sentences.
“The Criminal Justice Reform Committee wishes to commend officials of the Gombe State Command of the Nigeria Correctional Service for keeping the inmates in good health condition, living in a clean environment, and the effort they are putting into putting them on good behaviour to become reasonable members of society after serving their respective terms,” Mohammed said.
She urged the ex-inmates to be of good character to benefit from the good gesture of the criminal justice reform committee, calling those awaiting trial to be patient and be of good behaviour while waiting for their sentencing by the courts.
“The Criminal Justice Reform Committee commends the Gombe State Government for supporting the committee’s exercise, which is geared towards decongesting the custodial centres,” she added.
On his part, the Comptroller of the Gombe State Command of NCoS, Lawan Gusau, lauded the Chief Judge and the Criminal Justice Reform Committee, Gombe, for approving the release of the 182 inmates.
“We are grateful for this exercise, and it is the first time a total of 182 inmates are being released because of the compassion and service delivery of Justice Halima Mohammed,” he stated.
