Diai’s order came following legal advice by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which stated that the defendants had no case to answer.
She also released two others unlawfully held in custody, having previously been discharged by courts of competent jurisdiction.
Those released were Ifeacho Blessing (42), Michael Diata, Stanley Lucky (37), Tega Okoloba (21) and Omovua Moses(28).
Others were Godspower Charity (20), Noah Tamarauketemene (23), Tuwo Two Nadua (27), Godwin Omotefe (44) and Boloemi Inuisi (23)
Narrating the circumstances that led to their incarceration at Warri prison, Ifeacho Blessing and Michael Diata said someone asked them to contract a driver for him for an assignment, which they did. But after some time, the person came to them complaining that he could not find the driver, demanding them to produce the driver. When they told him that they did not have knowledge of the whereabouts of the driver, the police arrested and slammed both of them with allegations of conspiracy and murder.
On the purpose of the jail delivery exercise, Justice Diai said: “Last year, when I was here I made some remarks on the purpose of the visit, and it has not changed.”
It is to review the cases of those awaiting trial and to ensure they are here legitimately. And we are also to see whether there are those persons that have stayed more than the period they would have stayed if convicted.”
Earlier, the Deputy Controller of Corrections of Warri Custodial Centre, Edo Joseph Lucky disclosed that inmates at the centre were 933, comprising 373 convicts, 217 on the death roll and 560 awaiting trial.
