The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, has granted pardon to 21 inmates at the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre as part of efforts to decongest the overcrowded facility.

Some of the released inmates had spent between six and 14 years in custody for capital offences without proper prosecution or accessible case files from the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Speaking during the jail delivery exercise, Justice Chibuzor-Amadi clarified that the gesture was not to undermine other agencies but to support the cause of justice and uphold the rule of law.

He attributed the rising number of awaiting-trial inmates to lapses by the Nigerian Police and the DPP, stressing the need for improved collaboration among the correctional service, the Ministry of Justice, the police, and the judiciary.

The Chief Judge noted that the state judiciary conducts quarterly visits to correctional centres to review cases and aid decongestion efforts. He urged correctional officers to maintain professionalism and respect human dignity in their duties.

Encouraging the pardoned inmates to embrace reform, he urged them to become responsible members of society upon reintegration.

Meanwhile, Controller of the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Rivers State, Felix Madumere, lauded the Chief Judge’s intervention but expressed concern over the worsening congestion. He revealed that the Port Harcourt facility, originally built to accommodate 1,800 inmates, is currently housing over 2,500.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

________________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________