Delta CJ releases 206 inmates

Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Marshal Umukoro, yesterday released 206 inmates, stressing that he will soon decide on a panel of inquiry that will investigate the circumstances surrounding bail granted murder suspects.He, however, urged magistrates in the state to thoroughly peruse and acquaint themselves with the state’s Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2017, to enable them exercise discretion in granting suspects bail.

He stressed that they should do so, especially for those charged for capital offences. Head, Protocol and Public Relations Department of the state High Court of Justice, Agbaragu Timothy, made this known in a statement yesterday.

He said the Chief Judge’s admonition became necessary due to the action of a magistrate who granted bail to a murder suspect without recourse to feelings of the public and family of the deceased, whose remains was still in the morgue.

“Some magistrates are not conversant with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law. Magistrates must not grant such bail on murder cases, because they have have no jurisdiction over such cases,” he said.