Rivers CJ Releases 150 Inmates From Correctional Centre

The Rivers State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, has granted pardon to 150 inmates awaiting trials from the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre in Port Harcourt.
The number brings the total to 160 inmates so far released by the chief judge of the state in less down one month of his first gaol delivery exercise since assumption of duties as the Number One Judiciary Officer in the state.
The Chief Judge of Rivers State, had last month during the gaol delivery exercise at the Nigerian Maximum Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, on August 19, announced that three magistrates would be appointed to relocate to the maximum correctional centre to handle the exercise and look into the cases of inmates standing trial on minor matters.
The chief judge, in fulfilling his promise to decongest the correctional centre, appointed three chief magistrates: Menenen Poromon; Victor Nweke; and Rosemary Ibanibo; to look into the cases of inmates who have stayed for periods longer than that which, if they had been convicted, have served out substantial part of their sentences.
The chief judge, who spoke through Poromon, advised the lucky inmates to be of good behaviour, adding that only people who have minor cases were released.
According to him, only those whom their matters are not going again, and who have also spent more than the required years of sentence are being considered.
“You people are lucky. Live positive life. If your people are farmers, join them; if they are fishermen, join them to catch fish”, he stated.
The chief judge advised them to avoid bad companies and friends who would put them into trouble.
He thanked the officers of the correctional centre, Legal Aids, and DPP for their support during the process, and assured that the exercise would continue.
Some of the released inmates, while expressing joy over their freedom, commended the chief judge of Rivers State for the initiative, just as they urged that the special court session should be a continuous exercise.
They promised never to go back to life of crime that brought them to the correctional facility.

By: Akujobi Amadi