By Abubakar Ohida
Three inmates in custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Okene,have regained freedom through the intervention of the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC).
This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Legal Officer/Director General’s Legal Assistant, Ameh Friday, Esq.
Giving a further insight into the issue, the statement, said, during the recent visit to the Nigeria Correctional Service, Okene, Kogi State by the Director General, Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission, Musa Onogo Idris, Esq and some Law Officers of the Commission, the Officer in Charge of the Correctional facility, Mr. Bello Tope, drew the attention of the DG and his team to the case of three (3) defendants, (Muhammed Bello, Aliu Abdullahi and Usman Bello), who have been in their custody since March, 2023, and have spent about one (1) year and Seven (7) months without meaningful progress in their case.
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He noted that after the inmates were taken before the Chief Magistrate Court, Lokoja, on offences of Criminal Conspiracy, Armed Robbery and Unlawful Possession of Fire Arm; the Court remanded them at their correctional facility and no further steps were taken in the case, particularly to arraign them before the High Court of Justice which has the jurisdiction to entertain and determine the case against them.
He therefore requested the assistance and intervention of the Commission.
The DG assured the Officer in Charge of the commitment and intervention of PDCRC at ensuring that justice is done in the matter.
He stressed that PDCRC has the mandate to take briefs of inmates who lacked legal representation in Court for inability to engage the services of a private legal practitioner and provide free legal representation to them.
Consequently, PDCRC took necessary steps and discovered that the inmates (Muhammed Bello, Aliu Abdullahi and Usman Bello) were arrested sometimes in January, 2023, and the case against them was before the Chief Magistrate Court II Lokoja.
The result of the intervention by the Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission led to the discharge and release of the three (3) defendants (Muhammed Bello, Aliu Abdullahi and Usman Bello) by the Chief Magistrate Court II Lokoja on the 28th November, 2024.
It was indeed a moment of joy for Muhammed Bello, Aliu Abdullahi and Usman Bello for their release and freedom. They greatly thanked the Commission for the assistance rendered to them and prayed that God continue to bless the Office.
While speaking to them at the Commission’s office, the DG said “in spite of what you all may have been through as a result of your incarceration for about two years, note that a greater future is ahead of you but you must be of good behaviour and stay focused”.
He noted that one of the functions of PDCRC is to provide legal aid and other related services to the indigent, vulnerable and disadvantaged residents in the State. He stressed that the Commission is always willing to provide free legal representation to persons and inmates who have no legal representation in Court for inability to engage a private legal practitioner.
The Officer in Charge of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Okene, Mr. Bello Ilesanmi Tope in his letter of commendation and appreciation to the Director General, thanked the Commission for the great work as regards providing unfettered access to justice to the poor and indigent residents of Kogi State”.
“You all have indeed demonstrated that your vision and mission statement were not just crafted but rather you were genuinely committed to it! I say kudos to the entire team” he further added. Just as he emphasised that the Correctional facility will look forward to further collaboration with the Commission.
