No fewer than 35 inmates awaiting trials breadth the air freedom on Tuesday when the Chief Judge of Federal Capital Territory, Justice Husseini Bab-Yusuf visited the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre.
The intervention was facilitated by the Public and Private Development Centre, a Non-Governmental Organisation.
The 35 inmates released included 33 males and two females.
One of the males, Mohammed Abdullahi, was discharged after being incarcerated for a year without a single appearance in any court in Nigeria.
In an interview with newsmen shortly after the exercise, the Chief Judge said the essence of the prison visit was to ensure that those who are not supposed to be in the facility are allowed to go free.
“Today, we have been able to set free 35 people who have no business being here, and that is a huge boost,” he said.
He explained that the exercise would be a routine one to ensure that people are not allowed to suffer unnecessarily in custody when they should not be there.
Baba-Yusuf said, “Some of those we have set free are those who are not well, people who have been here unnecessarily for a long time and people who have not been cited for any genuine offence.
“This will continue to be a routine thing to ensure that the rights of our citizens are guaranteed and well catered for.”
He also noted that all other inmates facing one delay or the other in the conclusion of their cases have been assured that their cases will be attended to, and new dates given to them to appear in court.
“We have rectified all that, and dates have been given to all those who are involved in that category. I have also given directive to the Director in charge of the magistrates to do oversight functions on some of these courts whenever the matters come to the courts so that we ensure that the proceedings of the courts runs smoothly.
“Magistrates handling cases in the FCT courts have also been chastised to improve on case management strategy so that trials of the cases run expeditiously and inmates are able to know their fate,” the Chief Judge added.
Also speaking, Programs Officer at the Public and Private Development Centre, Cynthia Onyeka, appreciated the Chief Judge for taking out time to visit the custodial centres so as to set free those who are not supposed to be there and also decongest the centres.
She added, “This is because in Nigeria, we have a high rate of anti trial detentions and this has led to overcrowded custodial centres across Nigeria. So, this activity presents an opportunity for the Chief Judge to come to the custodial centres in an effort to decongest the system.”
She further explained that the PPDC supported the exercise because it wants the Nigeria’s justice system to be fair and transparent, and for all Nigerians to have access to justice including the vulnerable who cannot afford legal representation.
“For activities like this, when we come, we support the Chief Judge by paying fines and today, we were able to pay fines amounting to N1.5 Million to support the releases of some persons just to ensure that the numbers in the custodial centres reduce,” she said.
In another interview, the Chairperson of International Federation of Women Lawyers, Abuja Branch, Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, while expressing gratitude to the Chief Judge for showing mercy to the released inmates, thanked the PPDC and other Non-governmental Organisations for regularly paying fines for the release of inmates especially the female inmates who for one reason or the other cannot pay the fines and compensatory orders sanctioned by the courts.
Earlier in his remarks, the Officer in Charge of the Keffi Medium Security Custodial Centre, Sumaila Bulus, thanked the FCT Chief Judge for the visit and the release of some inmates which according to him will help decongest the facility which is currently occupied by 667 inmates.
He further pleaded for logistics support, most especially in transporting inmates from the custodial centres to courts in the FCT, adding that the two working vehicles available in the facility were no longer enough to transport the inmates for their courts appearances.
On August 12, 2025, PUNCH Online reported that sixteen inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Keffi, Nasarawa State after breaching the facility’s security.
In a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, Umar Abubakar, the inmates reportedly overpowered personnel on duty during the breakout.
Five officers were injured in the incident, with two currently (as of the time of this report) in serious condition and receiving treatment at a government hospital.
Seven of the escaped inmates have since been recaptured, while efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the remaining nine.
Ends
China’s initiative plans more inclusive global order
China’s Global Governance Initiative Gains Momentum Amid Global Unrest
Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja
As global tensions escalate and traditional governance structures falter, China has unveiled a sweeping proposal to reshape international cooperation. The Global Governance Initiative (GGI), introduced by President Xi Jinping at the 25th Heads of State Council Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin, seeks to establish a more equitable and inclusive global order.
Xi called on nations to “work together for a more just and equitable global governance system,” emphasizing the need for a shared future for humanity. The initiative comes at a time of mounting global crises—from the wars in Ukraine and Gaza to internal conflicts in Sudan and rising tensions between Israel and Iran. These, alongside climate change and economic instability, have intensified calls for reform.
The GGI outlines five key principles: sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and a focus on tangible action. It aims to address the underrepresentation of the Global South, the waning credibility of global institutions, and the ineffectiveness of current systems in tackling global challenges.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the initiative as timely, aligning with the UN Charter and reinforcing the United Nations’ central role in global affairs. “The world is fraught with challenges,” Wang said, “and the GGI offers a framework for collective action through multilateral mechanisms.”
Nigeria’s Strategic Role
Nigeria stands to benefit significantly from the initiative. Following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, China-Nigeria relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership—a move seen as deepening trust and cooperation.
The implications of the initiative for Nigeria include Economic Growth: The GGI can contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth by promoting infrastructure development, healthcare, and agricultural modernization.
– Global Influence: Nigeria’s participation in the GGI can enhance its global influence, particularly in campaigning for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
-And Strategic Partnership: As a key strategic partner for China, Nigeria can benefit from China’s commitment to supporting Africa’s development and promoting global governance reforms.
Foreign Minister Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar has championed Nigeria’s campaign for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, citing the country’s contributions to global peace and security. Speaking at a recent lecture hosted by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Tuggar emphasized the importance of strategic autonomy in a multipolar world.
“The idea is to avoid entangling alliances or ideological over-alignment,” Tuggar said. “Nigeria’s foreign policy must be driven by shared interests and mutual purpose.”
He warned against binary alignments, stressing that Nigeria’s size and potential demand flexibility in shaping global governance. Tuggar also highlighted Nigeria’s strengths—its large population, internal market, and capacity for defense mobilization—as assets in the evolving global order.
Africa’s Broader Opportunity
For Africa, the GGI presents a chance to amplify its voice in international institutions, access new technologies, and finance climate-friendly development. It also promises stronger partnerships with China in infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.
Mr. Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Chinese Centre, underscored the initiative’s significance, stating that global governance must move beyond power politics. “It must no longer be the case that might make right,” he wrote. “The GGI responds to the Global South’s call for peace, development, and cooperation.”
Onunaiju added that the initiative answers fundamental questions about who governs, for whom governance is conducted, and how it should be carried out. He called for a fairer global system that shares development opportunities and confronts challenges collectively.
As the world navigates an increasingly fragmented landscape, the Global Governance Initiative may offer a blueprint for unity, reform, and resilience—anchored in shared values and mutual respect.
The GGI is the fourth major global initiative proposed by President Xi, following the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative
