Rivers Acting CJ Set To Free Prisoners …Inaugurates Six-Member Committee

The Acting Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Daisy W. Okocha has concluded plans to release some inmates across prisons with a view to decongesting prisons in the state.

This is sequel to the inauguration of a 6-member Administration of Justice Committee in the State by the Acting Chief Judge.

A statement signed by the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, Leonard K. Adoki said the inauguration of the committee was preparatory to the 2015 Gaol Delivery Exercise to be undertaken by the Acting Chief Judge, adding that the inauguration of the committee was in accordance with the provisions of the Administration of Justice Act (Cap A3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004).

According to the statement, the scheduled gaol delivery exercise, which derives from the provision of the criminal Justice (Release from custody) Special Provisions Act Cap. C 40) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004) would enable the Acting Chief Judge to order the release of persons detained in prisons in certain circumstances specified in the law for the purpose of decongesting the prisons.

Adoki said that by the provisions of enabling law, the committee has the statutory responsibility for the general supervision of all aspects of the administration of Justice in the state as well as the effective performance of the functions of all organs charged with the administration of justice in the state.

The Chief Registrar further disclosed that the six-man Committee would be headed by the Acting Chief Judge, while the Commissioner of Police, Controller of Prisons, state director of SSS, Attorney-General represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, State Ministry of Justice, and the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch are members.

He added that the date of the exercise will be announced later, even as he called on members of the press, Civil Society Organizations, prison decongestion advocacy groups and other non-governmental organizations to participate in the exercise that would hold at the Port Harcourt prisons.