By TINA PHINEAS, Yola
Controversy has trailed the release of former Governor Bala James Ngillari from prison by a Yola High Court on Monday.
The State Controller of Prisons Mr. Peter Tenkwa stated categorically that the Prison Command is not aware of the letter purportedly written from the command over Bala Ngillari’s ill-health that necessitated his release.
This came even as the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Silas Sanga disclosed that the state government will leave no stone unturned in unraveling the mystery behind the letter from the Prison Service to the High Court that granted Ngillari bail.
The duo reacted in separate interview over the bail granted the convicted former governor by the same court that jailed him with no option of bail, barely three weeks ago.
Reacting to the development, Controller of Prisons Adamawa, Peter Y. Tenkwa disassociated the command from the letter facilitating the release of the former governor Balla James Nggilari.
He noted that after touring the Yola Prison facilities on directives of the national headquarters of the prison, the prison facilities was found to be okay to host any high profile inmate.
“The prison facilities was okay, we had enough medical facilities to handle high profile inmates, my response and the reports from the Deputy Controller of prisons (DCP) in charge of Yola prison was forwarded to the national headquarters,” the Controller stated.
“Just last week we received drugs to handle high profile cases of his so called ill health to my dismay, this morning I got a call that there was another letter”
“As the controller of Nigerian Prison Adamawa Command I dissociate the state Command from that letter.
“Who so ever wrote that letter is on his own’ am making arrangement to forward the letter to the National Headquarters of Nigerian Prison
The Controller further explained that those responsible for the said letter would be dealt with and they are on their own.
He said DCP Abubakr Abbaka officer in charge of Yola and Supretendant of Prison (SP) John Bukar in charge of health should be responsible to explain the origin of the letter and explain better on the development
The State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Mr. Silas Sanga in his reaction to the Judgment said government would constitute criminal investigation to ascertain the authenticity of the letter.
“Government is disturbed about the ruling of the high court granting bail pending appeal to the former governor, the judgment is a legal remedy that is very rare and doesn’t come easily”, he noted.
