Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
An 86 years old man from Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State has joined 86 inmates granted pardon by the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena.
The octogenarian was granted pardon based on humanitarian ground.
Justice Ozoemena granted them bail and ordered them released from the Enugu Custodial Centre as part of events marking the 2025 jail delivery exercise held in Enugu.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Ozoemena said the jail delivery exercise is a key judicial responsibility designed to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of persons awaiting trial.
He said that the exercise allows the judiciary to review cases that have been delayed or stalled to ensure that no one is unjustly detained.
“This is a statutory duty imposed on every State Chief Judge to ensure that inmates are given the opportunity to have their cases reviewed where the wheel of justice has been slow.
“I consider this a sacred obligation to safeguard the constitutional rights of every citizen and to make sure that justice is both fair and timely,” Ozoemena said.
The Chief Judge commended his predecessors for sustaining the tradition of jail delivery, describing it as an important mechanism for maintaining public trust in the justice system.
He also appreciated judges of the Enugu State judiciary, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and officials of the Enugu Custodial Centre for their collaboration and commitment to justice delivery.
Justice Ozoemena further thanked Governor Peter Mbah for his administration’s continued support to the judiciary, particularly the financial and logistical assistance that made the 2025 jail delivery exercise possible.
He reaffirmed the judiciary’s dedication to ensuring that justice remains accessible, fair, and humane, especially for the underprivileged and vulnerable.
In his remarks, the Controller of the Enugu Custodial Centre, Valins Obizue, commended the Chief Judge and the State Government for their intervention, noting that the exercise would help decongest the correctional facility and promote inmate rehabilitation.
He also appealed for the exercise to be extended to the Nsukka and Oji River correctional centres, where several inmates are still awaiting trial.