23 inmates regain freedom in Rivers correctional centres

No fewer than 23 inmates at correctional centres in Rivers State have regained their freedom following a jail delivery exercise aimed at decongesting custodial facilities across the state.

Of the 23 inmates released, 18 were freed from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre, while five regained their freedom from the Ahoada Correctional Centre after their cases were reviewed by magistrates.

The Chief Registrar of the Rivers State Judiciary, David Ihua-Maduenyi, disclosed this in a statement dated July 24, 2026, noting that the exercise was conducted on July 22.

According to the statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, the jail delivery exercise was carried out on the directive of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.

The statement noted that the exercise marked the first phase of the 2026 prison decongestion programme, adding that the judiciary would continue periodic case reviews to protect the rights of detainees and promote access to justice across the state.

The statement read, “Sequel to the directive of the Honourable, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, for the decongestion of custodial facilities across the state, the Rivers State Judiciary has successfully carried out its first phase of the 2026 Prison Decongestion Exercise.

“The exercise, which took place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, saw magistrates visit correctional centres in Port Harcourt, Ahoada and Degema to review the cases of inmates and ensure that deserving persons were not kept in custody beyond what the law permits.

“Following the review, a total of twenty-three (23) inmates were released from the correctional centres.

“The Port Harcourt Correctional Centre accounted for eighteen (18) releases, while five (5) inmates were released from the Ahoada Correctional Centre. No inmate was released from the Degema Correctional Centre.

“This exercise was conducted by Chief Magistrates Menenen F. Poromon, Ilanye D. Brown, N. N. Nnee, Obiareri N. Anugbum, and Senior Magistrates Wobia C. Akanie, Harold B. Nwinee and Thankgod Ndukwu.

“The Rivers State Judiciary remains committed to promoting access to justice, protecting the rights of detainees, and supporting efforts aimed at reducing congestion in correctional facilities in the state through periodic reviews and other justice sector interventions.”