The chief judge of Ebonyi, Elvis Ngene, on Friday at Ukpa, Afikpo Local Government Area of the state, released one inmate of Afikpo Custodial Centre during a jail delivery.

Mr Ngene also granted bail to nine persons.

Eighteen cases were heard; one inmate was discharged, nine were released on bail, and eight were remanded in custody.

The chief judge said the goal of the delivery was in the exercise of powers conferred on him by the 1999 Constitution as amended, which was aimed at decongesting the custodial centre.

He pointed out that the exercise was not to throw open the facility gate for suspects to go but rather to provide succour to them.

Mr Ngene said the exercise was designed to grant freedom to those who might have overstayed their sentence in the centre if they were tried and convicted to serve their terms.

“The exercise is also to grant bail to those who have been in custody over minor cases which are bailable offences and whose information on their cases has not been filed.

“The jail delivery is not for those standing trial for capital offences or those whose cases are already before courts of competent jurisdictions.

“Yes, the exercise will be regular. Another exercise will be carried out in December at the centre,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vera Ogwude, controller of correctional service, Ebonyi Command, commended the chief judge on the exercise aimed at decongesting the facility.

She urged the freed inmate to use the new freedom well and shun further indulgence in crime or criminality.

Ms Ogwude noted that the Afikpo custodial centre was built to accommodate 160 inmates but regretted that the facility had more than 240 inmates.

One of the beneficiaries, John Chinemere, 18, said he was happy for the gesture and pledged not to engage in any unlawful act.

Chinemere, who was accused of stealing, was released to a guardian.

(NAN)