Rivers Chief Judge Releases 14 Inmates From Port Harcourt Custodial Centre

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

The release formed part of activities marking the opening of the 2026/2027 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary.

The inmates included people who had spent longer periods in custody than they would have served if convicted of the offences for which they were accused, as well as others whose trials had been delayed through no fault of their own.

Justice Chibuzor-Amadi said the exercise was carried out under relevant provisions of the law as part of efforts to reduce congestion in custodial facilities.

He said the exercise was conducted pursuant to Section 1 of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision and Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Section 341 of the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 7 of 2015.

“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,” the Chief Judge said.

He explained that some of those released had remained in custody for years without trial because of delays in transmitting case files from the police and other security agencies to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice.

He also cited cases involving files that could not be traced by the police or the Ministry of Justice, stressing that inmates should not continue to suffer because of such administrative failures.

The Chief Judge urged the released inmates to return to their communities and become examples of peaceful and responsible living.

He warned that anyone who returned to the custodial centre after committing another offence might not receive a similar opportunity for release.

Chibuzor-Amadi also cautioned the inmates against allowing themselves to be used to cause violence during the political season, noting that young people often become victims of political violence.

The Chief Judge further advised correctional officials to protect confidential information, particularly details concerning inmates scheduled for release, until the appropriate time to prevent unnecessary tension.

The Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service in Rivers State, Richard Moses-Williams, commended the judiciary for the exercise.

Moses-Williams said the jail delivery would help reduce congestion at the custodial centre and praised the Chief Judge for personally visiting the facility.