In a move aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and promoting inmate welfare, the Gombe State Criminal Justice and Inquiry Committee, led by the state’s Chief Judge, Halima Mohammed, has ordered the release of 85 inmates from Gombe and Billiri custodial centres.
The releases followed a comprehensive review of cases conducted by the committee during visits to four custodial centres across the state – Gombe, Billiri, Cham, and Tula – between Tuesday and Friday.
“The Gombe State Criminal Justice and Inquiry Committee under the state’s Chief Judge, Halima Mohammed, on Monday, released 85 inmates from Gombe and Billiri custodial centres in the state.”
According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), 42 inmates were granted unconditional release from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Gombe, while an additional three were released from the Billiri centre.
Furthermore, 38 inmates from the Gombe centre and two from the Billiri centre were released with specific conditions attached.
During the committee’s visits, Chief Judge Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairperson of the committee, emphasized the ongoing efforts to alleviate overcrowding in the custodial centres and ensure the well-being of the inmates.
Addressing the inmates, she explained that the committee’s primary mission was to review minor cases involving individuals awaiting trial.
She clarified that the purpose of the visits was to identify inmates who were eligible for bail or unconditional release.
For those already convicted, she urged patience, stating that they must serve their prescribed jail terms.
She also noted that the power to grant pardon to convicted inmates based on good behaviour rests solely with the governor.
Addressing the released inmates directly, Chief Judge Mohammed urged them to embrace a new path, cautioning against any actions that could lead to their return to the correctional facilities. “You are expected to utilize this chance to impact your communities, and the state as a whole,” she advised.
Salihu Abdullahi, the Controller of Corrections for the Gombe State Command, lauded the initiative as timely, particularly given the current high number of inmates within the state’s custodial centres.
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He emphasized the importance of the committee’s visit to the command, noting that it would provide hope to those who felt despairing.
Abdullahi further highlighted the severe overcrowding at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Gombe, which was originally built in 1919 to accommodate 379 inmates but currently houses a staggering 1,076 individuals.
He pointed out that of this number, 628 were awaiting trial, 344 were convicted, and 101 were on death row.
He stressed that this level of congestion is a direct violation of the Correctional Service Act of 2019.
NAN also recalled a previous initiative in February 2025, where no fewer than 100 inmates across six custodial facilities in Gombe State received vocational skills training aimed at aiding their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
This empowerment program was initiated and supported by Justice Mohammed, in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Services, Gombe State Command.