FCT Chief Judge Frees 30 Inmates in Keffi to Decongest Prisons, Uphold Justice
In a move aimed at decongesting prisons and promoting justice for individuals held in prolonged detention, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has freed 30 inmates during a special jail delivery exercise in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The release of the inmates took place across two custodial centres under the FCT Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service — the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre and the Keffi Old Medium Security Custodial Centre.
A total of 24 males and 6 females were freed during the visit.
Addressing the media, Justice Baba-Yusuf said the purpose of the jail delivery initiative is to ensure that individuals who have been unjustly detained or have experienced delays in the legal process are not kept behind bars unnecessarily.
“We have decided to give hope to the hopeless. There are a lot of people who shouldn’t be here in the first place.
This visit is to ensure that people who have no business being here are not kept behind doors, not even for one day,” the Chief Judge remarked.
Justice Baba-Yusuf highlighted systemic challenges contributing to custodial congestion, including delays in case processing, inefficiencies by law enforcement agencies, and logistical barriers in transporting inmates to court for trial.
He noted that many inmates awaiting trial have spent more time in detention than the maximum sentence prescribed for their alleged offences.
He assured that this was just the beginning of a broader campaign and announced that similar exercises would be conducted at other custodial centres, including Kuje and Suleja.
The Controller of the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre, Yau Ibrahim, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
He acknowledged the importance of such interventions in alleviating overcrowding and restoring the faith of inmates in the justice system.
“This visit brings relief not only to the inmates but also to the facility. We are grateful for the Chief Judge’s commitment and the role of the judiciary in promoting justice,” said Ibrahim.
He also disclosed that the Legal Aid Council had taken up several pending cases for immediate follow-up, which may result in the release of more inmates in the near future.
Legal analysts and civil rights groups have lauded the FCT Chief Judge’s actions, describing the jail delivery exercise as a practical step toward judicial reform and the protection of human rights. Many have called for more frequent and nationwide implementation of similar programs to reduce prison congestion and uphold fair trial principles.
The Nigerian Correctional Service has for years faced criticism over overcrowding, with a large percentage of inmates awaiting trial due to backlogs in the judicial system.
Initiatives like this signal a shift toward a more compassionate and responsive legal framework.
