Justice Musa Danladi, the Chief Judge of Katsina State, granted bail to 91 inmates and ordered the release of four others as part of a jail delivery exercise aimed at reducing overcrowding in the state’s correctional facilities.
The exercise, conducted at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Katsina, marked the first quarterly jail delivery session of 2025. Justice Danladi stated that the released inmates were selected based on recommendations from the Sub-Committee on Decongestion of Correctional Centres, considering factors such as age, length of detention, and health conditions. Reports indicate that some released individuals had been detained for years without trial, while others were granted bail on humanitarian grounds.
Justice Danladi announced that henceforth, comprehensive records, including photographs, of released inmates would be maintained for future reference. He urged the freed individuals to reform their lives, warning that repeat offenders would not receive similar leniency.
Umar Baba, the Katsina State Controller of Corrections, praised the Chief Judge’s initiative, highlighting its positive impact on managing overcrowding and reducing tension within correctional facilities.
“The jail delivery exercise has significantly contributed to easing congestion in our facilities, reducing tensions among inmates, and enhancing the process of rehabilitation,” Baba stated.
He also called upon judges and magistrates to consider non-custodial sentencing options to further alleviate pressure on correctional centers and facilitate effective inmate rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
