– releases 3 inmates from Kabba correctional centre
The Acting Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi on Tuesday ordered the transfer of Peter Adeiza Onsachi of the New Jerusalem Deliverance Ministry Ageva, who was arrested in Okene for reasonable to Okene High Court for trial.
Recall that following his arrest, a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Lokoja had remanded Onsachi, also known as Pastor Michonza at the Federal Correctional Centre Kabba.
Onsachi has been accused of running labour wards for pregnant women in his church, and selling “bulletproof” water to the people, amongst other medically unacceptable practices which have led to the death of many innocent people.
Upon the order of the Chief Justice of the state, the Pastor will continue trial on suspicion of culpable homicide, causing miscarriage, impersonation and public nuisance.
In a related statement, Justice Majebi unconditionally released three awaiting trial inmates from Federal Prisons, Kabba in Kogi.
Among those released unconditionally was Mustapha Ibrahim, charged with conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating and intimidation and had spent four months in custody while Obeh Jamiu Ozovehe, arrested for culpable homicide was released based on the Ministry of Justice advice conveyed by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
Idris Mohammed arrested for armed robbery was also granted unconditional release for lack of evidence to prosecute him in the law court.
The Acting Chief Judge, however, charged the released inmates to go home and exhibit good behaviour in their various communities.
He assured the remaining inmates whose cases were at various stages of trial that very soon, their cases would be reviewed and those who should not be in prison would be released.
The Acting Chief judge who advised all magistrates to ensure that they know of the cases they handled before the visit, also warned the officials of the correctional centre in Kogi State against keeping accused persons without proper authority to avoid legal action.
The Officer-in-Charge of the prison, Shuaibu Ishaku commended the Acting chief judge and judicial officers in Kabba for their efforts at decongesting the custodial centre.
He disclosed that Kabba correctional centre has a capacity of only 200 inmates but is currently accommodating 274 due to flooding that ravaged Koton-Karfe prison, noting that 65 inmates were convicted while 209 were awaiting trial in various courts.
