Cross River Chief Judge To Visit Correctional Centres In Decongestion Effort

The Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, is set to embark on a visit to the five correctional centres across the state as part of efforts to reduce overcrowding within these facilities. The correctional centres include Calabar, Ikom, Ogoja, Obudu, Obubra, and Adim.

Iquo Bassey-Ekanem, the Chief Registrar of the state’s judiciary, confirmed that the visits are part of the powers granted to the Chief Judge by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Justice Ikpeme will begin the tour on Monday, 25th November 2024, at the Calabar Correctional Centre, followed by visits to Ikom and Ogoja Correctional Centres on Wednesday, 27th November 2024. The tour will conclude with visits to Obubra and Adim Correctional Centres on Thursday, 28th November 2024.

Additionally, the Chief Registrar announced that inmates from the Ogoja and Obudu Correctional Centres will be transported to the Ikom Correctional Centre for consideration of their cases on Wednesday, 27th November 2024.

According to the latest data from the 13th edition of the Cross River State Judiciary Newsletter, as of July 2024, the state’s correctional facilities house approximately 1,069 inmates. The Calabar Medium Security Custodial Centre has the highest number, with 715 inmates, of which 448 are awaiting trial and 267 have been convicted. The Obubra Medium Security Custodial Centre houses 91 inmates, with 83 awaiting trial and 8 convicted.