Providence smiled on four inmates of the Custodial Centre, Warri, Delta State, as they regained their freedom following an order by the state Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Tessy Diai, during her visit to the facility on Monday.
The released inmates are Chigozie Seji, 58; Samuel Olori, 44; Ahmed Bello, 27; and Shadiraeh Etta Ayouren, 28.
Three of the inmates were released following legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ministry of Justice, indicating that they had no case to answer, while the fourth was discharged after the magistrate struck out the case against him.
The Chief Judge, who reviewed 524 warrants during the third-quarter visit to the Warri and Sapele Custodial Centres, advised the freed inmates to turn over a new leaf, conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions that could lead to their return to custody, warning that they might not enjoy the same opportunity in the future.
The exercise, aimed at promoting the speedy dispensation of justice and reducing congestion in correctional facilities across the state, saw 349 warrants reviewed at the Warri Custodial Centre and 175 at the Sapele Custodial Centre.
No inmate was released from the Sapele facility.
Speaking at the Warri Custodial Centre, Justice Diai said the exercise reflected the collective commitment of the Delta State Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to ensuring speedy trials, reducing congestion in custodial centres and preventing inmates from remaining in detention longer than necessary.
She stressed that the visits were not merely routine exercises but part of deliberate efforts to promote the timely determination of criminal cases and uphold the administration of justice.
She commended the judges handling the cases, the Deputy Controllers of Corrections in Warri and Sapele, the Department of Public Prosecutions and other officials who participated in the exercise for their diligence and contributions to its success.
The visit was attended by judges, the Chief Registrar, the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Delta State Ministry of Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, law officers from the ministry, the Officer-in-Charge of Legal Services of the Nigeria Police Force, representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and other stakeholders.
In their separate welcome addresses, the Deputy Controllers of Corrections in Warri and Sapele, DCC Egbede Richard and DCC Moses Ugo, respectively, commended the state judiciary and the Ministry of Justice for their sustained efforts towards decongesting correctional facilities.
They appealed to the Chief Judge to encourage more courts to adopt virtual court proceedings, noting that the approach would reduce the cost and logistical challenges associated with transporting inmates to court for hearings.
While appreciating the existing collaboration among the Correctional Service, the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary, the custodial centre officials highlighted some operational challenges confronting the facilities, including inadequate logistics, a shortage of operational vehicles and insufficient manpower.