Friday, July 18, 2025 - In a significant move to address prolonged detentions and overcrowding in correctional facilities, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, on Thursday launched the state’s jail delivery exercise with the release of 21 inmates from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, including a man who spent 18 years in custody without trial.
The released inmate, Gospel Nwibari, was arrested in 2007 at
the age of 14 and had remained behind bars ever since without access to legal
representation or a formal trial. His case drew attention during the exercise,
which is part of a broader initiative under the Rivers State Administration of
Criminal Justice Law aimed at prison decongestion and legal reform.
Justice Amadi said several of the inmates freed had no case
files or verifiable charges against them. While some were initially accused of
serious crimes such as murder and armed robbery, the chief judge emphasized the
need for due process.
“Many of these inmates had no case files and no means to
trace the charges against them. Continuing to detain them serves no justice
purpose,” he stated.
He stressed that all releases were made based on
recommendations from correctional authorities and verification by the
Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) following thorough case reviews.
Justice Amadi also addressed the released inmates directly,
encouraging them to embrace a new path and warning that reintegration into
society could be difficult.
“Society may not always be forgiving. But the law must
remain just and humane,” he said.
Felix Madumere, Controller of Corrections for Rivers State,
also raised concerns about the critical state of the Port Harcourt Correctional
Centre. Originally designed to house 1,800 inmates, the facility now holds over
2,500.
“If the state fails to act, we may be forced to halt inmate
admissions temporarily to prevent a system breakdown,” Madumere cautioned.
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