The Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, has granted pardon to 18 inmates at the Makurdi Medium Correctional Centre.
This decision follows a review of 120 remand cases by the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee in Benue state.
During a two-day visit to the Makurdi Medium Correctional Centre, Justice Ikpambese, alongside other committee members including the Commissioner of Police Benue State and the Controller of Corrections Benue State Command, meticulously examined the cases of inmates held in remand for various offenses, ranging from robbery to culpable homicide.
According to a statement issued by Stephen Tsegba, the Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Judiciary, the pardon was granted based on several factors, including want of diligent prosecution, prolonged period in remand custody exceeding the sentence commensurate to their alleged crimes, and administrative irregularities such as missing case files.
Additionally, 15 other inmates were granted bail without stringent conditions, while the cases of the remaining inmates are set to receive accelerated hearing.
One particularly poignant case involved an inmate who had been held in custody for two years and eight months without trial. Upon regaining his freedom, he expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude, buttressing on the importance of sustaining such initiatives to benefit other inmates in custody.
The Chief Judge commended the committee members for their dedication, attention, and cooperation throughout the review process, underscoring the importance of addressing prison overcrowding and ensuring timely dispensation of justice.
