Rivers CJ frees 14 inmates from Port Harcourt correctional centre

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The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, has released 14 inmates from the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre.

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Chibuzor-Amadi, while speaking during the jail delivery exercise at the custodial facility on Tuesday, disclosed that the exercise also heralded the opening of the 2026/2027 legal year.

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He said the exercise had the backing of the Constitution to right certain wrongs and decongest the correctional facility.

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The CJ listed the categories of inmates released as those who had overstayed the number of years prescribed by law if they had been convicted of the crimes they were alleged to have committed, and those whose cases had not been progressing through no fault of theirs but due to the failure of the security agencies or even the judiciary.

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Chibuzor-Amadi stated, “I’m here to perform a statutory function pursuant to Section 1 of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision and Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 341 of Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Law Number 7 of 2015.

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“That is to release from custody those who have been here over the period they would have served if they had been convicted for the offence they alleged to have been convicted.

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“Those who have been here for years without being tried, not because of what they have done but because of inability of the police or any of the security agencies to transmit the case file to the Ministry of Justice to vet and deliver their legal advice.

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“Those whose files could not be traced by the police or the Ministry of Justice, who have been here for years; they are not to suffer.

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“We are to release those who fall within these categories. And we are also doing it to herald the opening of the 2026/2027 legal year of the Rivers State Judiciary,” he added.

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The Chief Judge cautioned officials of the custodial facility against releasing confidential information, especially about those to be freed, to inmates in order to reduce the tension associated with such action.

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Addressing the freed inmates, the Rivers CJ advised them to turn over a new leaf as they returned to society, warning that anyone who returned to the facility for another crime might not have the opportunity of freedom again.

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He also reminded them that the political season had already commenced and cautioned them against being used by politicians to cause trouble, saying several youths had been victims of political violence.

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Earlier, the Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Rivers State, Richard Moses-Williams, commended the Rivers State Judiciary, led by the Chief Judge, for the gesture.

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He said the jail delivery would help decongest the custodial centre, even as he lauded the CJ for his visit to the facility.

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