Ebonyi State Chief Judge, Justice Alloy Nwankwo, has discharged 11 inmates awaiting trial, granted 18 others bail at the Abakaliki Prison.
The Chief Judge who spoke to journalists, said in line with the prison reform policy, the exercise was conducted to decongest the prison.
He added that nine inmates were granted bail based on self recognition, while the other nine were granted conditional bail.
He said, “There are over 1,000 inmates in the prison, hence the need for us to regularly visit the prison to treat deserving cases in order to decongest the prison in line with the prison reform policy.”
“I commend the prison authority for compiling the case files in proper order; by October we will come back to continue with the exercise.”
He issued a warning to the inmates who regained their freedom to be of good conduct and not indulge in criminal activities that could bring them back to prison.
“I want to admonish the freed inmates to shun acts capable of bringing them back to the prison yard.
“You must be of good conduct, shun further criminal activities and work to contribute meaningfully to the development of the society.
“Those on bail must also stick to the bail conditions to avoid revocation of the bail,’’ he added.
However, it was gathered that suspects released included 66-year-old man, Patrick Oji, accused of murder and has been in custody for nine years without trial.
Others discharged were: Ikechukwu Okoro, Chibueze Nweke, Chibuike Agbo, Ndubuisi Ogbonna, Ndubuisi Nworie and a 12- year-old boy, charged with alleged burglary, among others.
