The Rivers State Judiciary has released 23 inmates from correctional centres across the state in the first phase of its 2026 prison decongestion exercise, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights of detainees and reducing overcrowding in custodial facilities.

The exercise was carried out on the directive of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, to ensure that inmates are not detained beyond the period permitted by law and that cases deserving judicial intervention receive prompt attention.

Judicial officers visited correctional centres in Port Harcourt, Ahoada and Degema to review the status of the inmates and determine those eligible for release.

In a statement, the Chief Registrar of the High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi, said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that no person remained in custody unnecessarily, particularly where continued detention was no longer justified under the law.

Following the review, 23 inmates were released from two of the facilities visited. The Port Harcourt Correctional Centre recorded the highest number of releases, with 18 inmates freed, while five inmates were released from the Ahoada Correctional Centre. No inmate was released from the Degema Correctional Centre after the review of cases there.

The exercise was conducted by a team of judicial officers comprising Chief Magistrates Menenen F. Poromon, Ilanye D. Brown, N. N. Nnee and Obiareri N. Anugbum, alongside Senior Magistrates Wobia C. Akanie, Harold B. Nwinee and ThankGod Ndukwu.

Ihua-Maduenyi said the initiative forms part of the Rivers State Judiciary’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the administration of criminal justice, decongest correctional facilities and safeguard the constitutional rights of persons in custody.

He added that periodic reviews of inmates’ cases would remain a key strategy for ensuring compliance with legal safeguards governing detention, while helping judicial authorities identify matters requiring urgent attention.

According to him, the judiciary remains committed to promoting access to justice and supporting measures that prevent unlawful or prolonged detention.

Meanwhile, the Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai, has reviewed 1,177 remand warrants across custodial centres in the state and ordered the release of nine awaiting trial inmates during her second custodial centre inspection for 2026.

The two-week exercise, conducted under the Administration of Criminal Justice framework, covered custodial centres in Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku, Warri, Sapele and Kwale, as well as the Remand Home in Sapele.

The inspection forms part of the Chief Judge’s constitutional responsibility to monitor criminal justice administration, decongest correctional facilities and ensure that no individual is unlawfully or unnecessarily detained.

Official statistics released at the end of the exercise showed that Justice Diai reviewed 196 remand warrants at the Agbor Custodial Centre on July 15, with no inmate released or granted bail.

At the Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre on July 17, she examined 413 warrants, leading to the release of three inmates based on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). No bail application was granted.

The Warri Custodial Centre recorded the review of 294 warrants on July 20, resulting in the release of five inmates following DPP advice, while no inmate was granted bail.

In Sapele on July 21, Justice Diai reviewed 157 warrants and ordered the release of one inmate on the recommendation of the DPP. She also reviewed six warrants at the Sapele Remand Home, where no inmate was released or granted bail.

The inspection concluded at the Kwale Custodial Centre on July 24, where 111 remand warrants involving awaiting trial inmates were examined, with no release or bail approval.

Addressing judges, prosecutors, correctional officials and other stakeholders during the visits, Justice Diai explained that the number of inmates scheduled for review is often reduced before inspections because some detainees may have already been granted bail, released or convicted.

She noted that the absence of releases or bail approvals at the Kwale Custodial Centre indicated that the criminal justice process there was functioning effectively, with inmates appearing regularly before the courts handling their cases.

Diai stressed that custodial centre inspections are not substitutes for trial proceedings, explaining that bail applications should ordinarily be determined by the courts handling individual cases except in exceptional circumstances requiring the intervention of the Chief Judge.

While commending prosecutors for their commitment to the administration of criminal justice, she expressed concern over delays in prosecuting some cases, citing a criminal matter that has remained unresolved since 2011.

She described prolonged detention without the conclusion of trial as unacceptable, insisting that no person should remain in custody for six or seven years without having their case heard, as such delays undermine justice and violate constitutional rights.

The Chief Judge directed judges handling criminal matters to monitor the duration of inmates’ detention closely and prioritise older cases to prevent unnecessary delays.

She also cautioned prosecutors against restarting criminal proceedings whenever there is a change of counsel, noting that the practice contributes significantly to prolonged litigation and overcrowding in custodial centres.

Justice Diai commended judicial divisions that have advanced criminal cases to final addresses and judgment, urging other courts to emulate their efficiency.

She reaffirmed the Delta State Judiciary’s commitment to working with prosecutors, correctional authorities and other stakeholders to accelerate the determination of criminal cases, reduce congestion in custodial centres and protect the constitutional rights of awaiting trial inmates.