Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has authorized the release of 56 inmates from two correctional facilities under the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in the FCT.
The announcement came via a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Mr. Samson Duza, the Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command of the NCoS.
According to Duza, 30 of the released individuals were held at the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, while the remaining 26 were from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.
At the Kuje center, Justice Baba-Yusuf personally reviewed several cases, resulting in the release of five inmates. Two of those released had been awaiting trial and were granted bail.
“Three convicted inmates had their fines paid by the Brekete family, Legend Golden Care Foundation and other Civil Society Organisation (CSO),” Duza stated.
In a separate legal development at the same Kuje facility, Justice Belgore delivered a ruling on a high-profile case involving members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shiites.
“Out of the 58 accused, 25 members, including one female, were discharged and acquitted, while the remaining 33 defendants were found guilty and convicted. Sentencing for the convicted individuals is scheduled for the following week,” Duza added.
Over at the Suleja custodial centre, 102 cases underwent judicial review, leading to the discharge of 26 inmates. Of these, five were convicted individuals, while the rest were awaiting trial.
In a humanitarian gesture, Justice Baba-Yusuf personally covered the transportation cost for one released inmate and paid compensation for another, with the total sum amounting to ₦100,000.
During the visit, Controller of Corrections for the FCT Command, Olatunbosun Ajibogun, expressed his appreciation for the Chief Judge’s commitment and support.
He praised the judiciary’s efforts to ease congestion in the prisons and pledged full cooperation toward maintaining an effective correctional system.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the mass release is part of a broader initiative by the NCoS and justice sector stakeholders to speed up legal proceedings, reduce inmate populations, and promote fair access to justice.
