The Adamawa State Chief Judge, Justice Hasfat Abdulrahaman, has released a sexagenarian, Saraya Silma, who had spent 10 years awaiting trial at the Yolde-Pate Correctional Centre in Yola on a witchcraft allegation.
Justice Abdulrahaman, who chaired the committee on the prerogative of mercy, pardoned Silma along with 41 other inmates.
The correctional centre had initially presented 182 awaiting trial inmates for review, out of which 37 were convicted, and 24 were granted bail.
According to *Punch*, Silma explained that she was accused of witchcraft, an allegation the complainant could not substantiate.
After inquiring about her residence, the Chief Judge provided Silma with N12,000 to facilitate her transportation back to Cameroon.
While some of those discharged were given non-custodial sentences, such as community service tasks like tidying up public facilities in their localities, at least 13 cases were reviewed downward during the exercise.
The 800-capacity correctional centre currently houses 886 inmates.
Out of the 886 inmates, 665 are awaiting trial, 185 are convicts, 10 are serving life sentences, and 16 are on death row.
Several cases were registered for consideration at the hearing, except those involving murder, theft, culpable homicide, and kidnapping.
The exercise considered both awaiting trial and convicted inmates.
Meanwhile, the Chief Judge, while congratulating the beneficiaries of the exercise, urged them to avoid unruly behaviour going forward.
She advised them to view their release as a divine intervention and an opportunity to reform and lead a worthy life.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Dominic David pledged their commitment to turning over a new leaf.
Expressing gratitude to the Chief Judge and her team, David voiced hope for a brighter future for themselves.
