The Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, has ordered the immediate release of seven inmates on medical grounds following a jail delivery exercise at two custodial centres in the state.

The exercise, conducted at the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Custodial Centres, involved a review of the cases of 82 awaiting-trial persons.

According to the Kano State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Chief Judge reviewed cases involving inmates who had spent several years in custody, including some who had not been formally charged.

The seven inmates were released after the judge considered their health conditions and other circumstances surrounding their continued detention.

The exercise was part of efforts by the judiciary and correctional authorities to speed up the administration of justice, decongest custodial centres and protect the rights of people in custody.

Justice Abdu Aboki urged the inmates to ensure that justice was administered fairly and without unnecessary delays.

The Controller of Corrections in Kano, Ahmed Lakpene, encouraged those released to regard their freedom as an opportunity to start afresh, remain law-abiding and avoid activities that could bring them into conflict with the law.

Other stakeholders involved in the exercise included representatives of the High Court, Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Nigeria Police Force and Legal Aid Council.