The Rivers State Judiciary has released a total of 150 inmates across Maximum Security Custodial Centres in the state as part of its goal delivery exercise for the 2024/2025 legal year.
While the Magistrate Courts released 109 inmates within the period under review, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, released 41 inmates, bringing the total to 150.
This was disclosed by the Chief Judge during the release of the final batch of inmates at the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre on Wednesday, as part of activities marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year.
Justice Amadi stated that the exercise was aimed at decongesting custodial centres across the state.
The Chief Judge emphasised that the initiative is both constitutional and humanitarian, rooted in the powers vested in the Chief Judge “under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Rivers State.”
He explained that the action was intended to free inmates who had overstayed without trial, had missing case files, or whose cases warranted reconsideration.
Justice Amadi also called for stronger collaboration among the Police, the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, and the Correctional Service to ensure proper investigations and the speedy dispensation of justice.
He advised the released inmates not to return to crime but to “become ambassadors of a better society.”
In his remarks, the Controller of Correctional Centres, Rivers State Command, Felix Madumere, commended the judiciary for its cooperation in decongesting facilities, promoting justice, and giving hope to those awaiting trial.
Madumere also called for “the establishment of a Board of Prerogative of Mercy” and the provision of additional infrastructure, particularly for death row inmates and lifers, noting that such measures would further help to decongest custodial centres.
