The Chief Judge of Taraba, Justice Joel Agya, on Tuesday reviewed 35 cases, awaiting trials pending at the Medium Security Custodial Centre (MSCC) Wukari in Taraba.

While 13 cases reviewed by the chief judge were pending in the High Court, 22 cases were at the lower courts.

Mr Agya, while conducting the jail delivery exercise, said the administration of justice does not end in the courtroom.

He noted that it extended to ensuring that the rights of every person within the criminal justice system were protected so that no individual would be deprived of liberty unjustly or for longer than the law permitted.

He stated, “Jail delivery exercises such as this serve as an important mechanism for reviewing the cases of inmates, particularly those awaiting trial. This is with the aim of decongesting the custodial facilities and ensuring that justice is both done and seen to be done.

“This exercise forms part of the ongoing efforts by the Taraba Judiciary, in collaboration with other stakeholders in the criminal justice system, in order to address the persistent challenge of overcrowding in custodial centres.

“A significant number of inmates remain in custody while awaiting trial, sometimes for periods that exceed what justice and fairness would ordinarily permit. This reality underscores the need for closer collaboration among all criminal justice stakeholders, including the judiciary, the Nigeria Correctional Service, the police, the Ministry of Justice, and the Legal Aid Council.”

He commended Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State for supporting reforms in the state’s justice system.

The chief judge assured the people that the Taraba Judiciary remained firmly committed to strengthening the administration of justice, protecting the rights of citizens, and ensuring that courts remained instruments of fairness, equity, and the rule of law.

He advised magistrates to uphold restorative justice by adopting non-custodial sentencing above retributive justice.

Earlier, Controller of Corrections, Taraba Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Francis John, commended the judiciary for the jail delivery exercise.

Mr John appreciated the chief judge for the successful jail delivery exercise earlier carried out at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Jalingo.

He noted that the exercise brought great relief, not only to the affected inmates but also to the custodial facility itself for it contributed significantly to the ongoing efforts to decongest the custodial centres.

“Your Lordship’s intervention once again demonstrates the critical role of the judiciary in ensuring that justice is not only done but also seen to be done, especially for those who may have remained in custody longer than necessary.

“We look forward with optimism to Your Lordship’s return to address those cases, which will undoubtedly bring further relief to deserving inmates,” he added.

A legal aid foundation, the Justice Agya Legal Initiative, paid N193,000 to free three inmates, held in remand for their inability to meet up with their option of fines.

Stakeholders at the exercise included judges of the area courts and magistrates, representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the Legal Aid Council, officers of the NCS, the police, the Nigerian Bar Association and the media.

(NAN)