Rivers Chief Judge releases 14 inmates in legal year ceremony

Fourteen inmates have been released from the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Centre by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi.

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

The inmates included those 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 theirs.

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

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.

“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.

“Those who have been here for years without being tried, not because of what they have done but because of the 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.

“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.

“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.

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

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

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

He also advised officials of the correctional facility to keep confidential information, particularly details about inmates scheduled for release, from being disclosed prematurely in order to prevent unnecessary tension.

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

Moses-Williams said the jail delivery would contribute to reducing congestion at the custodial centre and commended the Chief Judge for visiting the facility.

Rivers Chief Judge releases 14 inmates in legal year ceremony