Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has released 30 inmates awaiting trial from two custodial centres in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The release took place on Thursday during the judge’s visit to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi. Of the 30 freed inmates, 24 were from the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre, while six— all women— were from the Keffi Old Medium Security Custodial Centre.
Addressing journalists after the exercise, Justice Baba-Yusuf said the visit was part of ongoing efforts to ensure that individuals unjustly detained are granted their freedom.
“We are here to give hope to the hopeless,” he said.
“There are many people who should not be in detention, not even for a single day.
This initiative is about ensuring that only those who truly belong behind bars remain there.”
He added that the exercise will continue, with similar visits planned for custodial centres in Kuje and Suleja.
The goal, he said, is to identify and free inmates who are being held without just cause.
Justice Baba-Yusuf attributed the problem of overcrowding and unjust detention to systemic lapses involving magistrates, the police, and logistical challenges within correctional facilities.
He emphasized the need for improved support and infrastructure to allow correctional centres to operate more effectively.
Lucy Abagi, CEO of the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), applauded the Chief Judge’s intervention, noting her organisation’s commitment to supporting the decongestion of prisons nationwide.
“We are determined to ensure that people who should not be incarcerated are released.
We commend the Chief Judge for taking action and encourage more efforts to ease overcrowding in our custodial centres,” she said.