Rivers Chief Judge Pardons 21 Inmates, Decries Overcrowding at Port Harcourt Prison

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

The inmates were released on Thursday during a jail delivery exercise, following a careful review of their cases.

Justice Amadi explained that priority was given to inmates whose case files were missing, or whose trials had stalled for several years. Inmates with active court proceedings were excluded from the list.

He clarified that the exercise was not intended to interfere with the duties of other justice sector agencies but was meant to complement their efforts in promoting justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law.

“This exercise is in line with our commitment to uphold the principles of justice and human rights. It is not to obstruct any agency, but to support the legal process in ensuring justice is not denied by delay,” Justice Amadi stated.

Referencing the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) (Special Provisions) Act, Cap C.40, and Section 34(1) of the Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice Law No. 7 of 2015, the Chief Judge said the law empowered the judiciary to intervene in cases of unjustified prolonged detention.

Justice Amadi lamented the state of the correctional centre, revealing that the facility, which was built to accommodate 1,500 inmates, is currently holding over 2,500 individuals.

He attributed much of the congestion to the inefficiency of the Nigeria Police Force and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in conducting proper investigations and expediting cases.

“The police must improve the quality of investigations and ensure suspects are not charged to court without sufficient evidence. Due diligence must be observed to avoid unnecessary detention,” he said.

He called for greater cooperation among the judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Police, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, stressing that prolonged detention without trial was a violation of human rights and does not serve the public good.

Justice Amadi also urged officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service to maintain high standards of professionalism and respect for human dignity in the discharge of their duties.

To the freed inmates, he offered words of encouragement:

“This is a second chance. Embrace reform, live responsibly, and reintegrate into society as productive and law-abiding citizens.”

In his remarks, the Controller of Corrections, Rivers State Command, Felix Madumere, expressed appreciation to the Chief Judge for his regular intervention in prison decongestion.

Madumere revealed that the Port Harcourt facility currently houses 503 inmates on death row and over 2,500 inmates in total, far above its capacity.

He appealed for government intervention to address the mounting operational challenges facing the correctional service.

“If urgent steps are not taken, we may be compelled to temporarily halt new inmate admissions to prevent a total system collapse,” Madumere warned.

Among the 21 pardoned inmates were two mentally ill individuals who had been in custody for eight to ten years without charges or any progress in their legal cases.

The exercise underscores the pressing need for sustained reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system to address the persistent issue of overcrowded prisons and prolonged detention without trial.