Delta Chief Judge Reviews 1,061 Warrants, Frees 9 Inmates

The Chief Judge of Delta State, Hon. Justice Tessy Diai, has ordered the release of nine inmates from the Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku, Warri and Sapele Custodial Centres following a review of 1,061 warrants as part of ongoing efforts to decongest correctional facilities and promote the speedy administration of justice.

Speaking to journalists during the prison visitation exercise on Tuesday, Justice Diai said the releases were based on legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Delta State Ministry of Justice, which confirmed that the affected inmates had no case to answer.

According to her, 413 warrants were reviewed at the Ogwashi-Uku Custodial Centre, leading to the release of three inmates, while 295 warrants were reviewed at the Warri Custodial Centre, where five inmates regained their freedom. At the Sapele Custodial Centre, 157 warrants were reviewed, resulting in the release of one inmate. She also reviewed the cases of six juveniles at the Sapele Remand Home/Children Correctional Centre.

Justice Diai disclosed that 196 warrants were reviewed at the Agbor Custodial Centre, but none of the inmates met the conditions for release.

The released inmates from Ogwashi-Uku are Emmanuel Bulus (24), James David (29), and Paulinus Goddey. Those freed from Warri Custodial Centre are Desmond Kawei (30), Miracle David (24), Promise Ododoru (36), Emmanuel Kawoh (42), and Augustine Stephen (39), while Tsagove Allanddrix Teponno, a Cameroonian national, was released from the Sapele Custodial Centre.

The Chief Judge was accompanied 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, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Correctional Service, and other stakeholders in the criminal justice system.

Justice Diai said the exercise demonstrates the commitment of the Delta State Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice to ensuring speedy trials, reducing congestion in custodial centres and protecting inmates from prolonged detention.

She urged the released inmates to embrace lawful living and make good use of the opportunity given to them, warning that they might not be fortunate enough to receive another chance if they returned to crime.

The Chief Judge also commended judges handling criminal matters, officials of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Deputy Controllers of Corrections and other criminal justice stakeholders for their dedication to the timely prosecution and disposal of criminal cases.

Earlier, Deputy Controllers of Corrections at the Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku, Warri and Sapele Custodial Centres praised the Judiciary and the Ministry of Justice for their sustained efforts to decongest correctional facilities.

They, however, appealed for wider adoption of virtual court hearings to reduce the cost and logistics involved in transporting inmates to court. The officials also thanked Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for donating five operational vehicles to the Delta State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service while highlighting challenges such as inadequate logistics and manpower shortages.