The Chief Judge of Katsina State, Justice Musa Danladi, has granted bail to 103 inmates while ordering the release of three others due to health conditions, prolonged detention, old age, and good behavior during their time in custody.
The exercise took place on Wednesday as part of the first quarter of the 2025 jail delivery program aimed at reducing overcrowding in correctional facilities across the state. The initiative is designed to ensure that individuals who meet certain conditions can regain their freedom, thereby easing the burden on the prison system.
Justice Danladi assigned High Court Judge, Justice A.B. Bawale, to oversee the process at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Katsina New. This follows a similar exercise conducted at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Katsina Old, where 91 inmates were granted bail and four others were set free.
While speaking during the event, Justice Danladi commended the dedication and hard work of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Katsina Command. He urged officers to continue their efforts in maintaining a well-functioning system that ensures justice and rehabilitation for inmates.
The Controller of Corrections, Katsina State Command, Umar Baba, who represented the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for its continued cooperation with the correctional service. He noted that the intervention was much needed, adding that the judiciary remains “the last hope of the common man.”
Baba also appreciated the Chief Judge for not only approving bail and releases but also for providing welfare packages and relief materials to the inmates. He encouraged those who had regained their freedom to stay away from crime and use the skills they had learned while in custody to rebuild their lives.
“I urge the freed inmates to stay out of trouble, desist from crime, and make good use of the skills they have acquired while in custody,” he stated.
