Saraya Silma, a sexagenarian, was freed by Adamawa State Chief Judge Justice Hasfat Abdulrahaman after she had been detained for ten years at the Yolde-pate Correctional Centre in Yola, the state capital, pending trial.
Visibly distraught, Silma explained that the complainant had falsely accused her of witchcraft.
Following a question about the accused’s residence, the Chief Judge granted her N12,000 so that she could return to Cameroon.
Out of the 182 prisoners submitted to the Adamawa State Jail Delivery Committee for awaiting trial, the committee, led by the state chief judge, had 33 prisoners released from the Yolde Pate Correctional Center, 25 released on bond, and 37 found guilty.
Thirteen cases were reviewed downward during the exercise, even though some of the discharged were not in custody because they were required to perform committee services, like cleaning up public facilities in their communities.
