Chief Judge of Rivers State

Author: Gist Correspondent

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 during a jail delivery exercise.

The exercise was held as part of activities marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year and was conducted pursuant to Section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) Special Provisions Act.

Justice Chibuzor-Amadi said some of those released had spent up to 17 years in custody without being prosecuted, while others had remained in detention beyond the maximum terms prescribed for their alleged offences.

He warned against the leakage of confidential information ahead of jail delivery exercises and stressed that the judiciary does not collect money from inmates or their relatives in exchange for their release.

The Chief Judge urged the beneficiaries to obey the law and lead responsible lives following their release.

The Comptroller of the facility, CC Richard Moses Williams, commended the judiciary for its efforts to decongest correctional centres and improve the welfare of inmates.