The Chief Judge of Bauchi State, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, has warned chief magistrates and Shari’a Court judges to refrain from unnecessary remand of debtors in correctional centres in the bid to recover debts.
The chief judge spoke during her routine quarterly review cases visit to various correctional centres across the state on Thursday.
OsunDailyNG reports that the purpose of the visit was to free inmates awaiting trials to speed up the dispensation of justice and reduce congestion in the centres.
According to the chief judge, disputes on debts and marriages can be resolved through mediation and exploring avenues for amicable settlement.
She added that such action is retrogressive and not a solution to the problem.
She further warned the judges and magistrates not to allow their courts to be stepping stones for litigants to intimidate debtors.
“Don’t use your good offices to abuse the powers given to you. Are you supposed to keep a person, especially a female, in a correctional centre for just 30k? You caused a reprimand of your debtor and at the same time you want your debt to be recovered. What magic do you want your debtor to do, who is under detention in a correctional centre,” She said.
“If you cause the remand of a debtor, you are responsible for feeding him or her while in the correctional centre no matter how long he or she stays because government cannot shoulder that responsibility at your instance, so I’m reminding correctional centre officials about this responsibility,” the chief judge added.
This is as she freed no fewer than 22 awaiting trial inmates.
The inmates released were from Darazo, Misau, Ningi, Jama’are, Azare and Bauchi correctional centres.
She counselled the released persons to seek pardons from their parents, and equally engage in a lawful venture to fend for a living.
