An awaiting trial inmate, Saliu Akande, charged with rape has been freed by Chief Judge (CJ) of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, after spending four years at the Auchi Medium Security Correctional Centre without a case file.

Justice Okungbowa who visited the prison to decongest it and to promote the speedy trial of inmates, disclosed that Section 470 (2) of the Edo State Administration of Law 2018 entrusted the court with the mandate to ensure criminal matters were speedily dealt with and reduce congestion of criminal cases in courts

He said;

“Since my assumption of office, I have, together with members of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, worked assiduously to ensure that our mandate is accorded the much-desired seriousness.

“To this end, my avowed and unalloyed commitment is that no one is made to remain here one day longer than necessary unless as prescribed by law.’’