Chief Judge discharges octogenarian, 86 inmates from Enugu prison

By Stanley Nwanosike

The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, has granted bail and ordered the discharge of 86 inmates from Enugu prison.

Among those discharged included an 86-year-old man (name withheld) from Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area, who was granted bail on health and humanitarian grounds.

Speaking during the flag-off of the 2025 Jail Delivery on Saturday in Enugu, Justice Ozoemena said that jail delivery was “a sacred judicial responsibility” aimed at upholding the rule of law.

The chief judge noted that the exercise was meant to protect the fundamental human rights of persons awaiting trial.

He noted that the exercise allowed the judiciary to review cases of inmates whose trials had been delayed or stalled, “ensuring that no one is unjustly deprived of liberty.

“This is a statutory duty imposed on the chief judge of every state to ensure that inmates at custodial centres are afforded the opportunity to have their cases reviewed where the wheel of justice has been slow.

“I consider this a sacred obligation to protect the constitutional rights of every citizen and to ensure that justice is both fair and timely,” he said.

The chief judge commended his predecessors for sustaining the tradition of jail delivery, adding that it remained an essential mechanism for maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

He appreciated the judges of the state, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Director of Public Prosecutions, and the management of Enugu Custodial Centre for their continued collaboration and commitment to justice delivery.

The chief judge thanked Gov. Peter Mbah for his administration’s unwavering support to the judiciary, particularly the financial assistance provided to facilitate the 2025 Jail Delivery.

He reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that justice remained accessible, fair, and humane, especially for the underprivileged and vulnerable members of the society.