He is among the 12 pardoned inmates of Ikot Abasi and Eket correctional centres who have been awaiting trial for some years.

A prison inmate John Akpan who has been in custody for over 12 months without trial for allegedly stealing a bunch of plantain from his uncle’s plantation has been granted freedom by the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Obot.

He is among the 12 pardoned inmates of Ikot Abasi and Eket correctional centres who have been awaiting trial for some years.

Obot granted them pardon after a facility tour of the centres and attending to the inmates’ case files on Thursday.

Three of the freed inmates are from Ikot Abasi correctional centre while nine are from Eket correctional centre.

The chief judge also pardoned an 80 year-old-man, Ime Udoh, in Eket Correctional Centre who could barely walk and his son, James Ime, who were charged for disobeying a court order.

Obot said that some of the freed inmates had spent more years in prison than the penalty for the offence they were charged with.

Obot enjoined the freed inmates to go and turn a new leaf, engage themselves in productive ventures and stay away from crimes as they might not be lucky to have another chance.

The chief judge, during the visit, also donated drugs and toiletries worth thousands of naira to the two correctional centres for the welfare of the inmates.

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