Chief Judge in Bauchi frees 31 inmates awaiting trial

Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, the Chief Judge of Bauchi State, recently released 31 people who were waiting to stand trial from various prisons in the state. She also issued a stern warning to the state’s young people to stay away from criminal activity.

On Tuesday, the CJ led the state Committee on Prerogative of Mercy on a normal quarterly visit to evaluate their cases, and the lucky detainees were released.

During the committee’s visit, Justice Umar released 14 detainees from the Bauchi detention center, as well as 2, 5, and 10 from the Misau, Ningi, and Tafawa Balewa correctional institutions, respectively.

The Chief Justice of the Katagum Correctional Facility has voiced concern over the enormous number of active juveniles, numbering over 100, who are incarcerated there for civil and criminal offenses.

She urged parents and guardians to raise their kids right and warned young people in the state to stay away from the “get rich quick” mentality that lands so many of them behind bars.

Umar believes that children are the future’s leaders and that it is society’s responsibility to ensure that they receive a well-rounded education that prepares them to become contributing members of society.

Justice Umar slammed the police for failing to properly document inmates brought to the state capital’s detention facility during the committee’s visit.

As a result of the case assessment, the CJ became extremely concerned to hear that police prosecutors had not been properly documenting case files.

Justice Umar argued that a delay in dispensing justice was tantamount to a denial of justice, and he issued a challenge to the state Ministry of Justice to ensure that case files sent to it for advice were always given prompt attention rather than being delayed.