Bauchi govt releases 194 prisoners

The Bauchi state government said it has through the Committee on Administration of Justice released about 194 prison inmates who have been awaiting trial for over two years with minor offences.

This was contained in a Press release signed by Isiaku Muazu, Secretary to the Committee on Administration of Justice in Bauchi state.

The statement added that the Committee under the Chairmanship of the Chief Judge of Bauchi state, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar also secured the release of other inmates with old age and ill health.

“In exercising its duties, the committee had paid a working visit to prison formations in the state. Accordingly, it released inmates with minor offences, old age, ill health, custody awaiting trials for two (2) years and above and granted bails where necessary on July 26, 2017,” the statement read.

The committee said it started its working visit to Misau, Azare, Jama’are and Ningi prisons while Central prison Bauchi was visited on the July 27, 2017.

Muazu who gave the breakdown of the released inmates during the committee’s working visit to the prisons said 28 inmates were released from Bauchi prison, 81 in Azare, 25 in Misau, 28 in Ningi while 32 were pardoned in Jama’are prison.

The committee, according to the press statement comprises of Justice Rabi Talatu Umar as Chairperson while Commissioner of Police, Comptroller of Prison, Director Public prosecution (DPP) and the Chairman of state branch of NBA are serving as members respectively.

Justice Umar, had earlier advised the released inmates to be of good conduct and avoid any act that could bring them back to prison, warning that the law is ever ready to deal decisively with anyone who goes contrary to its provisions.

Responding, one of the freed inmates thanked Justice Umar for the love shown them, promising to be of good conduct and prayed God to bless her abundantly.