Nnati Nki
Chief judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, has granted freedom to 22 inmates serving various jail terms at the Port Harcourt and Ahaoda Correctional Centers in the State.
The State Government also paid the restitution fees awarded to the released inmates by the various judges and magistrates who adjudicated their cases during trial.
The released inmates are those whose cases have been determined and awarded, and given option to pay fines below one million naira but could not meet-up the payment.
Speaking during the special jail delivery exercise held at the Port Harcourt Correctional Center, Justice Amadi, represented by Chief Magistrate, Rita Ogugua, said the release of the inmates was part of concerted efforts by the State Government and the State judiciary to decongest the correctional facilities.
Justice Amadi said the gesture by the State Government was borne out of the resolutions reached at a meeting held between the Minister of interior and the governors of the 36 states towards decongesting Correctional facilities across the country.
He advised the beneficiaries to be responsible citizens to the society and turn a new leaf, adding that they may not be lucky to have the opportunity given to them if they are found in the prison the second time.
Earlier, in his goodwill message at the event, the Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Center in the State, Alex Oditah, commended the State government and state judiciary for their continuous efforts aimed at decongesting the facilities.
Our correspondent reports that representatives of Nigerian Bar Association, Department of Public Prosecution, Human Rights Group Federation of International Female Lawyers, and other groups were present during the event.
