The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot, has called for the relocation of the Uyo Correctional Centre to a more conducive place for better management of inmates.
Justice Obot made the call at the weekend during the concluding part of her three-day facility tour of correctional centres in the state at Maximum Correctional Centre, Willington Bassey Way, Uyo, the state capital.
The Chief Judge, however, granted pardon to 33 inmates of the centre after a thorough review of their files during the exercise.
Obot, during the visit, donated drugs, toiletries and mattresses worth thousands of naira to the correctional centre to help cater for the inmates and sanitation of the custodial centre.
“I have seen that the facility is in a very needy condition and I know it has been deteriorated by reason of use.
“I pray by God’s Grace that God will touch those in authority, who have the resources to help you out here to renovate these structures or better still relocate to a better location for better management of the inmates,” Obot said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CJ had earlier pardoned four inmates in Ikot Abasi, six in Eket and 14 in Ikot Ekpene correctional centres in her previous visit two days ago.
Obot, who expressed displeasure with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) over no case file, urged him to put more effort and direct his subordinates to sit up and do things properly.
She called on the police authority to be diligent in prosecutions of suspects and respect citizens’ human rights.
“I thank you, the DPP, although the Ministry performed so badly here in Uyo, I was impressed with our outings in Ikot Abasi and Eket.
“So, I don’t condemn them totally. I think you take things for granted a little bit and you think your subordinates are doing what they ought to do. You must keep a very safe eye on them and make sure things move properly,” she said.
The CJ commended all judges, magistrates, law officers, Controller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom Command and all his officers, the Officer Incharge, Legal, Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom Command for their support throughout the three-day visit.
In his remarks, the Controller, Nigeria Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom Command, Mr Julius Ezuqwu, thanked the Chief Judge for her resilient and motherly disposition in handling the cases.
Ezugwu said that the visit by the Chief Judge has brought relief and succour to the inmates, who are always happy seeing her.
He expressed gratitude to Justice Obot for the drugs, toiletries and mattresses donated to the correctional centres and inmates.
