Rivers CJ, Justice Amadi Frees 10 Inmates

The Chief Justice of Rivers State, Justice Simon Amadi, has
pardoned and freed 10 inmates serving at the Port Harcourt
correctional centre.

The 10 suspects were on awaiting trial for their alleged
involvement in various offences.

Eight of the freed inmates were for capital offencs, including
rape, murder, conspiracy, and have already spent five to ten years
in custody, while the other two were of minor offences and have
spent between one to five years.

Justice Amadi granted the 10 inmates freedom during the 2021
Goal Delivery Exercise of the state.

The State CJ, who explained that the exercise was pursuant to
the provision of Section 11 of Criminal Justice Law of the
Federation of Nigerian Act, 2004, which was in a bid to decongest
the Correctional facility, directed Magistrates who are not on
vacation to seat at the prison facility during vacation to sort out
issues on the minor offense and grant bail where necessary.

The State Chief Judge, however, advised those granted pardon not
to return to crime or would have themselves to be blamed, even as
he assured to continue with the exercise on resumption from
vacation.

Meanwhile, the Controller of Corrections, Rivers State Command,
Odita Alex, commended the state government for the step which he
said will help decongest the correctional facility.

Alex requested the government to consider granting pardons to
those with mental disorders due to the lack of facilities to
accommodate them.

The Chief Justice of Rivers State, Justice Simon Amadi, has
pardoned and freed 10 inmates serving at the Port Harcourt
correctional centre.

The 10 suspects were on awaiting trial for their alleged
involvement in various offences.

Eight of the freed inmates were for capital offencs, including
rape, murder, conspiracy, and have already spent five to ten years
in custody, while the other two were of minor offences and have
spent between one to five years.

Justice Amadi granted the 10 inmates freedom during the 2021
Goal Delivery Exercise of the state.

The State CJ, who explained that the exercise was pursuant to
the provision of Section 11 of Criminal Justice Law of the
Federation of Nigerian Act, 2004, which was in a bid to decongest
the Correctional facility, directed Magistrates who are not on
vacation to seat at the prison facility during vacation to sort out
issues on the minor offense and grant bail where necessary.

The State Chief Judge, however, advised those granted pardon not
to return to crime or would have themselves to be blamed, even as
he assured to continue with the exercise on resumption from
vacation.

Meanwhile, the Controller of Corrections, Rivers State Command,
Odita Alex, commended the state government for the step which he
said will help decongest the correctional facility.

Alex requested the government to consider granting pardons to
those with mental disorders due to the lack of facilities to
accommodate them.