Delta CJ frees 42 Inmates, reviews 1829 warrants

Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Tessy Diai, yesterday, ordered the release of 19 inmates from the Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre.

Diai, who concluded a tour of the five custodial centres of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the state, reviewed 1, 820 warrants of inmates of which 42 were discharged during the exercise

Giving a summary of the exercise at Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre, at the end of the two-week prison visit, the Chief Judge disclosed that 609 warrants were reviewed at Warri with 10 inmates released; in Sapele, 219 were reviewed with three released; in Kwale, 264 were reviewed and four released; in Agbor, six were released of the 239 warrants that were reviewed; and in Ogwashi-Uku, 489 warrants were reviewed and 19 inmates discharged.

At Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre, two inmates- Abuchi John and Chibuike Onyemachi Emmanuel, were released by the judge on the ground that their case files could not be found.

Both 19 years, they stated that they had been in custody since August 19, 2020 on the allegation of conspiracy and robbery and were not taken to court. 

They further said that they were in their house when the Police arrested them; slamming them with allegation they knew nothing about. Abuchi John, who could not hold his joy, said while in incarceration, he lost both the father and mother. 

The Chief Judge commended stakeholders for their performance, especially state counsel prosecuting cases in Asaba and Ibusa for ensuing that cases move on smoothly despite challenges faced.