Taraba Chief Judge To Address 169 Pending Trial Cases

Justice Joel Agya, Chief Judge of Taraba State, has pledged to address 169 cases of inmates awaiting trial at the Medium Custodial Centre in Jalingo. During his first visit to the facility since assuming office, Agya highlighted that many of these cases, some pending for up to five years, were minor and originated from magistrate and lower courts.

Agya expressed that some detainees should not be held in custody and planned to grant bail and discharge those eligible. However, the absence of certain magistrates and discrepancies between police prosecutors and the Ministry of Justice led to the rescheduling of this intervention.

He assured inmates he would continue to follow up on their cases to facilitate bail once the relevant magistrates returned. Agya also commended the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) for partnering with the judiciary to ensure justice for all.

“My visit today fulfills my commitment to the NCS Controller, who requested my assistance in decongesting the facility,” Agya noted, adding that future visits would focus on cases excluding capital offenses like kidnapping and armed robbery.

NCS Controller Mr. Murtala Haruna appreciated the chief judge’s visit, emphasizing its importance for inmates’ liberty and reinforcing the judiciary’s role as the public’s last hope. The visit included the Director of Prosecution, Chief Registrar, Legal Aid Council representatives, magistrates, judges, and members of the Nigerian Bar Association.