FCT Chief Judge Decongests Prison, Frees 35 Inmates

The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has freed 35 inmates awaiting trial at custodial centres in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

The release, facilitated by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), included 33 men and two women. Some had been held without trial, including Mohammed Abdullahi, who spent a year in custody without a court appearance.

Baba-Yusuf said the visit aimed to ensure that those unjustly detained regain their freedom, stressing that such exercises would be routine to safeguard citizens’ rights.

The PPDC said it supported the exercise by paying fines worth ₦1.5m to secure some releases, while NGOs like FIDA also praised the initiative.

The Keffi Custodial Centre, which currently houses 667 inmates, has faced overcrowding challenges, worsened by a jailbreak in August when 16 inmates escaped.