In exercise of his rights of prerogative of mercy, the Chief Judge Imo State, Justice Pascal Nnadi has released 9 prisoners while a stern directive given to judges handling the cases of 3 other inmates to expedite action and see to their release.
While delivering judgment on the 9 accused, persons, Tuesday at the state prison headquarters Owerri, the Chief Judge said the inmates were innocent of the offences leveled against them since no one has made any attempt to take them to court.
Out of the 71 persons brought before the CJ, Mr. Chukwuka Anele who was imprisoned since 2011 was the first to be released. Barr. M.C Ijezie, the Deputy Director public prosecution, Ministry of Justice Owerri, led 5 other lawyers to appear for prosecution, while Barr. Ngozi Ejike, Chief Legal Aide Officer, legal Aide Council led 3 other lawyers to appear in his defence.
Other inmates who were fortunate to be released by the CJ include Anayo Akumeme who was imprisoned in 2011, Paul Okoro, imprisoned 2013, Solomon Igbosoroeze, imprisoned 2010, Eze Maduabuchi, imprisoned 2011, Chimaobi Nwosu, imprisoned, 2010, Ifeanyi Ekezie, imprisoned 2011, Christopher Emmanuel imprisoned 2013 and Onyinye Ekegha imprisoned 2009.
Those whose cases were to be speedily delivered include, Samuel Okoroafor, Fidelis Alison and Chijioke Okechukwu. Before releasing the inmates Justice Nnadi warned the lucky inmates to distance from actions capable of bringing them back to prison saying any one among them caught in crime will surely spend longer years in prison.
Meanwhile, the insistence of newsmen that the three inmates who were mentioned in the list be brought out of the cell was never heeded, as they never showed up amid suspicion that they may not have been in the prison yard at that time.