The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi, has ordered the release of 10 awaiting-trial inmates at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe.
Justice Majebi gave the order on Tuesday while reviewing the warrants of awaiting trial inmates with prolonged detention without trial as part of the four-day jail delivery exercise, which began on Monday.
He called for reforms to speed up justice delivery and also ordered the transfer of five inmates to other correctional facilities within the state to facilitate speedy prosecution of their cases.
Justice Majebi emphasised the Judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied to persons in custody.
The Chief Judge addressed the inmates during the visit and urged those awaiting trial to remain hopeful, assuring that efforts were put in place to ensure timely determination of their cases.
He further warned Magistrates across the state against unnecessary adjournments, stressing that criminal cases should not be adjourned more than twice except, in exceptional cases.
Justice Majebi also cautioned Judicial officers against demanding money from suspects before granting bail, arguing that such practices erode public confidence in the Judiciary and undermine its system.
Among the inmates released due to insufficient evidence were Suleiman Shuaibu and Isah Abdullahi, who were arrested on September 15, 2025, on allegations of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping.
Similarly, Aliyu Umar and Muazu Usman who were arrested on January 26, 2026, for alleged kidnapping were also released based on legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the State Justice Ministry.
The CJ also granted bail to Musa Aliyu, popularly known as “Papa” at the Custodial Centre, who had been in custody since September, 2025 on allegations of Armed Robbery and Causing Grievous Hurt.
The court considered his deteriorating health condition granted him bail to enable him receive urgent medical treatment.
Other inmates discharged during the exercise included Abdullahi Yahaya, Adamu Abdullahi, Muhammed Muhammed, Usman Muhammed and Zakari Suleiman.
Their release followed legal advice from the DPP, which indicated that no prima facie case had so far, been established against them.
In a related development, Justice Majebi ordered the suspension of a registrar attached to Chief Magistrate Court I, Lokoja, over the disappearance of a case file involving one Abdulrazak Adama, who is facing charges of conspiracy and theft.
The CJ further directed that the official should remain suspended pending the recovery of the missing file and the conclusion of investigations.
This is part of ongoing efforts to decongest correctional facilities and strengthen the administration of justice in the state
The Koton-Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre has a capacity of 320 inmates and at the time of the visit, the facility housed 54 convicted inmates, 62 awaiting trial inmates, six on death row with one, serving a life sentence.
