The Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Theresa Diai, has ordered the release of five awaiting-trial inmates during her third-quarter visit to custodial centres across the state.
Justice Diai also reviewed a total of 1,190 warrants during the exercise.
Those released include Sunday Okoh 41 years old from Otulu, who had been remanded since August 4, 2025; Sunday Emmanuel 41 also from Otulu; Uche Nduka 38; Bala Bongah 23; and Orji Chinedu Martins 45 years old.
Speaking with journalists at the Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre on Wednesday, Justice Diai explained that the inmates were freed based on legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who confirmed that they had no case to answer.
She outlined the scope of the review, which began at the Warri Correctional Centre on November 3, 2025, where 313 warrants of awaiting trial inmates were reviewed, with no releases made.
“In Sapele Custodial Centre, a total of 147 warrants were reviewed, but no inmate was released. At the Sapele Remand Home, 13 inmates were serving various sentences, while four awaiting-trial cases were reviewed, also with no releases,” she said.
The review continued in Kwale, where 153 warrants were examined, and in Agbor, where 191 warrants were reviewed, both centres recording no releases.
The exercise concluded at the Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre, where 382 warrants were reviewed, resulting in the release of five inmates. In all, 1,190 warrants were reviewed state-wide, culminating in five inmates regaining their freedom.
Justice Diai expressed satisfaction with the outcome, commending judges handling the cases, the DPP, and the Deputy Controllers of the Warri, Sapele, Agbor, Kwale, and Ogwashi-Uku centres, as well as other stakeholders for their diligence and cooperation.
She emphasized that the aim of the exercise was not mass release but ensuring fairness, legality in detention, and speedy trial.
One of the freed inmates, Mr. Sunday Okoh, expressed gratitude to the Chief Judge and the DPP’s office, saying he had been arrested for alleged conspiracy and committing a felony related to promoting inter-communal violence, accusations he maintained he never committed. He thanked the Chief Judge for restoring his freedom