The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice Raymond Ozoemena, has granted bail and ordered the discharge of 86 inmates from the Enugu Custodial Centre during the official flag-off of the 2025 Jail Delivery Exercise over the weekend.
Among the beneficiaries was an 86-year-old man from Okpanku in Aninri Local Government Area, who was released on health and humanitarian grounds.
Speaking during the exercise, Justice Ozoemena described the jail delivery as a solemn judicial duty aimed at upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the fundamental rights of persons awaiting trial.
He explained that the exercise provides an opportunity for the judiciary to review cases of inmates whose trials have been unduly delayed, ensuring that justice is not denied through prolonged detention.
“This is a statutory duty imposed on every Chief Judge to ensure that inmates in correctional centres have their cases reviewed where justice has been slow. I see it as a sacred obligation to protect the constitutional rights of citizens and ensure that justice is both fair and timely,” the Chief Judge stated.
Justice Ozoemena commended his predecessors for sustaining the jail delivery tradition, noting that it remains vital to strengthening public confidence in the judicial system.
He also expressed appreciation to the judges of the Enugu State Judiciary, the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the management of the Enugu Custodial Centre for their continued collaboration in promoting effective justice delivery.
The Chief Judge further thanked Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for his administration’s consistent support to the judiciary, particularly the financial and logistical assistance provided to enable the successful conduct of the 2025 jail delivery exercise.
He reaffirmed the judiciary’s resolve to ensure that justice remains accessible, fair, and humane—especially for the poor and vulnerable.
In his remarks, the Controller of the Enugu Custodial Centre, Mr. Valins Obizue, commended the Chief Judge and the State Government for their intervention, describing the exercise as a crucial step toward decongesting custodial facilities and promoting inmate rehabilitation.
He also appealed for the extension of the jail delivery exercise to the Nsukka and Oji River Correctional Centres, where several inmates are still awaiting trial.
The event was attended by judges, senior officials of the Ministry of Justice, representatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service, members of the Nigerian Bar Association, and other key stakeholders in the justice sector.
