Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, has discharged 56 inmates from two custodial centers under the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in the FCT. The announcement was made by Mr. Samson Duza, the Public Relations Officer of the FCT NCoS command, in Abuja on Thursday. Out of the 56 inmates discharged, 30 were from the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, and 26 from the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre. During case reviews at Kuje, five inmates were discharged, including two awaiting trial inmates who were granted bail. Additionally, fines for three convicted inmates were paid by philanthropic groups such as the Brekete family and Legend Golden Care Foundation, among others.
In a separate ruling at Kuje, Justice Belgore delivered a verdict on members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN or Shiites), acquitting and discharging 25 out of 58 accused individuals, including one female. The remaining 33 were found guilty, with sentencing scheduled for the following week. At Suleja, 102 cases were reviewed, resulting in the discharge of 26 inmates—five convicted and 21 awaiting trial. Justice Baba-Yusuf personally paid transportation and compensation totaling ₦100,000 for two inmates as a gesture of goodwill.
The Controller of Corrections for the FCT, Olatunbosun Ajibogun, expressed gratitude to the Chief Judge and his team, commending their efforts to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities and pledging continued support for reforms aimed at a fair and efficient criminal justice system. This jail delivery exercise is part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Correctional Service and other justice stakeholders to ensure timely justice, alleviate prison overcrowding, and provide inmates with fair hearings.
