The Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, has granted pardon to 53 inmates of the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre.
Justice Chibuzor-Amadi said the exercise complied with the provisions of the Criminal Justice Law of Rivers State and the Special Provision Act of the Law of the Federation.
He said the exercise was part of activities to usher in the 2023/2024 Legal Year.
The freed inmates are those standing trial for different offences, as some have been in the facility for five to nine years awaiting trial and no case has been filed against them.
The CJ said, “The pardon serves as a reminder of our commitment to ensure justice is rightly served, that our correctional centre should not become overcrowded and the rights of the defendants are protected.
“More importantly, it symbolises our dedication to ensuring that individuals have the chance to reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens.”
He advised the freed inmates to turn a new leaf and desist from any temptation to go back to criminality.
“I took over 4,000 plus in the maximum custodial centre, Port Harcourt. But today we have dropped down to over a
1,000 lower than what I inherited in June last year. That has shown that the criminal justice system in Rivers State is working.”
