From Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Following the review of 2143 cases of warrants in Delta state, out which 383 inmates were released between January and May 2020, the State Chief Judge, Justice Marshall has attributed the increasing cases of warrants to divorce cases recorded within the period under reviewed, and lamented that the society might crumbled with ills if marriages are not held in value
Justice Umukoro who spoke to our Correspondent in Asaba on Wednesday said that the high rate of divorce petitions had become worrisome, especially in Delta state, describing it as part of social vices contributing to congestion of prisons in the state where hitherto inmates without proper identities are found languishing in prisons for their sins traceable to divorce
While calling on parents to monitor their children closely and conduct adequate profile of friends they keep, the Chief Judge however admonished youths to avoid bad company, noting that 80 percent of inmates whose ages were between 17and 25 in Ogwashi Uku prisons were from outside the state, adding” like I always say, it is the family system that is being threatened, many parents are not doing their work as it were”
Justice Umukoro decried the adverse consequences of complaints who prematurely withdrew from rape cases, adding that” it’s unfortunate that most of the victims are being pressurized to settle and agreed to compound the Offence: it is a drawback on advocacy by FIDA, our women lawyers and other NGOs who are advocating that people charged with such Offences should be tried”
He admonished lawyers who represent inmates to plead for mercy rather than having the mindset of inquiring into their guilt or innocence, even as he implored them to exercise discretion in order to balance the scale of Justice, disclosing that 77 inmates were released from Ogwashi Uku prisons while between January and May 2020 157 dissolution of marriage Petitions were filled in various courts and received, a trend he added, had remained worrisome
Last Monday, one of the inmates granted bail on health ground was one 35 year old Benneth Madubugini from Okpanam Community who was diagnosed of glaucoma, while one Emeka Chukwuma, 19, who had been in custody since 2017 for robbing a victim the sum of N820, was also pardoned by the Chief Judge, however assured that they will never go back to crime again and thanked the Chief Judge, Justice Marshall Umukoro for helping them with families of the deceased and prayed that Almighty God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“Members of the public are advised to employ all protective measures and caution while sailing, as turbulent flow of water during the rainy season can create unforeseen circumstances.
“The CP while sympathizing with the bereaved, commend the frantic efforts made by sailors and communities around the river bank during the rescue operation and urge them to educate their wards about the dangers of using water ways during this period”, the statement said.
It could be recalled more than 28 members of ECWA Church mostly youths who were on their way to a conference across the river Benue, had their canoe capsized midstream with only two (2) paddlers rescued alive by the police.
