The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf, has ordered the release of 35 inmates awaiting trial from custodial centres in Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, declaring that many of them “shouldn’t be here in the first place.”
Justice Baba-Yusuf made this known during an official visit on Tuesday to the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi as part of efforts to decongest prisons and ensure that justice is not delayed or denied.
Of the 35 inmates freed, 33 were male and two were female. They had been awaiting trial for various offences, some for extended periods without proper legal representation or case progression.
The Chief Judge described the visit as part of a larger reform effort aimed at reducing unnecessary detentions and ensuring that the legal system functions fairly for all, especially for those who may have been forgotten in the system.
“There are a lot of people who shouldn’t be here in the first place,” Justice Baba-Yusuf said. “This visit is to ensure that people who have no business being here are not kept behind doors, not even for one day. That is what we have done.”
He explained that the exercise is not a one-time event but part of an ongoing strategy to decongest correctional facilities, uphold justice, and protect the rights of individuals who may be wrongfully or unnecessarily held in custody.
“Today, we have been able to set free 35 people who have no business being here, and that is a huge boost,” he added.
Justice Baba-Yusuf also revealed that he has instructed the Director in charge of magistrates in the FCT to carry out routine oversight functions over lower courts. According to him, this will help monitor how court proceedings are handled and ensure that inmates’ cases are managed efficiently.
He also stated that magistrates have been directed to improve their handling of cases to reduce delays in the trial process.
“I have also given directive to the Director in charge of the magistrates to do oversight functions on some of these courts whenever their matters come to court so that we ensure that the proceedings of the courts run smoothly,” he said.
He stressed the importance of speeding up trials so that inmates are not left in uncertainty for long periods, noting that many detainees have been awaiting trial for years without any progress in their cases.
Miss Cynthia Onyeka, Program Officer at the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), a civil society organisation, commended the Chief Judge for his commitment to justice reform and his physical presence at the custodial centre.
She said such actions show genuine concern for human rights and fair justice and can inspire confidence in the legal system.
“We appreciate the Chief Judge for taking time to visit the custodial centres. It shows a human approach to justice and a commitment to making sure no one is unjustly held,” she said.
The visit comes amid growing concerns over overcrowding in correctional centres across Nigeria, most of which are filled with pre-trial detainees. Experts say many of those held in custody are poor, lack legal representation, and sometimes spend longer than the sentence they would have served if convicted.
Nigeria’s criminal justice system has long struggled with prison congestion, slow trials, and inadequate legal aid for indigent defendants. According to the Nigerian Correctional Service, over 70% of inmates in the country are awaiting trial — many for non-violent or petty offences.
In recent years, there have been increased calls for judicial reform, including the strengthening of case management processes, use of alternative sentencing, and better funding of legal aid services.
The decision by the FCT Chief Judge to personally intervene is seen by observers as a positive step towards justice reform and protection of human rights in Nigeria’s legal system.
As part of his ongoing reforms, Justice Baba-Yusuf said that more visits and reviews will be carried out to ensure that the justice system serves all citizens, not just the privileged.
