The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi, has ordered the release of 10 awaiting-trial inmates from the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, as part of efforts to address prolonged detention and decongest correctional facilities in the state.
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Justice Majebi gave the order during a visit to the custodial centre this week to review the cases of inmates who had remained in custody without trial.
As part of the exercise, five other inmates were transferred to other correctional facilities within the state to facilitate speedy prosecution.
The Chief Judge said the visit formed part of the judiciary’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that detainees are not unnecessarily kept in custody without trial.
Addressing inmates during the exercise, Justice Majebi urged awaiting-trial inmates to remain patient, assuring them that their cases would soon be concluded.
He, however, warned magistrates across the state against excessive adjournments, directing that criminal cases should not be adjourned more than twice.
Justice Majebi also cautioned judicial officers against demanding money from suspects before granting bail, stressing that such conduct undermines the integrity of the justice system.
Among those released were Suleiman Shuaibu and Isah Abdullahi, who were arrested on September 15, 2025, over alleged criminal conspiracy and kidnapping but were discharged due to lack of evidence.
Similarly, Aliyu Umar and Muazu Usman, who were arrested on January 26, 2026, for alleged kidnapping, were freed based on legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution of the Kogi State Ministry of Justice.
In a compassionate ruling, Musa Aliyu, also known as “Papa,” who had been in custody since September 2025 for alleged armed robbery and causing hurt, was pardoned on health grounds to enable him receive urgent medical treatment.
Other inmates released were Abdullahi Yahaya, Adamu Abdullahi, Muhammed Muhammed, Usman Muhammed and Zakari Suleiman. They were discharged on the ground that no prima facie case had been established against them, as advised by the DPP.
In a related development, Justice Majebi ordered the suspension of a registrar attached to Chief Magistrate Court 1, Lokoja, over the disappearance of a case file involving a suspect, Abdulrazak Adama, who was charged with conspiracy and theft.
The Chief Judge directed that the registrar remain suspended until the missing case file is recovered.
The Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, has a capacity of 320 inmates. At the time of the Chief Judge’s visit, 54 inmates had been convicted, 62 were standing trial, six were on death row, while one inmate was serving a life sentence.
Justice Majebi said the exercise underscored the judiciary’s renewed commitment to justice reform, accountability and the protection of fundamental human rights.
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