31 Female Inmates Facing Murder Charges in Ebonyi – Commissioner

At least 31 female inmates are currently facing trial for murder at the Nigerian Correctional Service Custodial Centre in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, according to the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ben Odo. Odo made the disclosure to reporters on Tuesday during an event in which Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru paid fines for 41 male inmates, allowing their release. Among those freed was a 16-year-old boy, Ogobuchi Ikebe, convicted for stealing a Bluetooth device. The Abakaliki Custodial Centre houses 1,265 inmates, with 31 of them being women. Odo clarified that none of the female inmates were among those released, as all face capital charges, including murder. If convicted, they would be transferred to Enugu Maximum Prison, where death row inmates are held. Odo further explained that since their trials are ongoing and no sentences have been handed down yet, it was not possible to pay fines for the female inmates. He emphasized that any inmate convicted of capital offences like murder would be transferred to the Enugu facility. One of the male inmates released, 26-year-old Nwafor Emmanuel, who had been incarcerated since August of the previous year, shared his experience, recalling the deaths of five fellow inmates. He vowed never to return to a life of crime and thanked Mrs. Nwifuru for securing his release. In her address to the freed inmates, Mrs. Nwifuru urged them to steer clear of crime and avoid returning to prison, promising to continue advocating for the less privileged in society.