Court Rules On RSG’s Suit Against Release Of 150 Inmates, Aug 19

A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has fixed August 19, 2021 for judgement in a suit filed by the Rivers State Government challenging a court judgment that ordered the release of 150 inmates from Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, recently.
The Rivers State Government had approached the court to set aside the judgement delivered by Justice Ollor for the unconditional release of 150 inmates from Port Harcourt maximum prison after they had spent eight to nine years without appearing in court since they were remanded.
In the court proceeding, Counsel to the Rivers State Government, C. N. Eke, who moved the application in a motion to set aside the judgement of Justice Ollor, urged the court to set aside the judgement base on misrepresentation of facts by the Defence Counsel.
Also speaking, Counsel representing the Defendants, submitted that the court cannot sit on an appeal over a decision delivered by his learned brother.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Chiwendu Nworgu, after listening to the submissions of both counsel, adjourned to August 19, 2021 for judgement.
Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, counsel representing ‘Access To Freedom International’ and the Defendants in the case, Oluchi Omereji, said the application to set aside the decision of Justice Ollor has been taken.
However, the plaintiff’s counsel urged the court to step down the judgement on the grounds of fraud, and misrepresentation of facts by the defendants, stressing that only the court’s decision would determine if the application would be set aside or not.
It would be recalled that on December 16, 2020, the High Court presided over by Justice Ollor, delivered a judgment that freed 150 inmates after they had spent more than eight to nine years awaiting trial without appearing in court since they were remanded.

By: Akujobi Amadi