23 inmates set free from Rivers State correctional centres

No fewer than 23 inmates at correctional centres in Rivers State are now free. This happened after a jail delivery exercise aimed at reducing overcrowding in the facilities.

Out of the 23 inmates released, 18 came from the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre. Five inmates were freed from the Ahoada Correctional Centre after their cases were reviewed by magistrates.

David Ihua-Maduenyi, the Chief Registrar of the Rivers State Judiciary, shared this information in a statement dated July 24, 2026. He mentioned that the exercise took place on July 22.

The statement, made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, said the jail delivery was ordered by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi. This exercise is part of the first phase of the 2026 prison decongestion programme.

The judiciary plans to keep reviewing cases regularly. This will help protect the rights of detainees and ensure they have access to justice in the state.

The statement said, "Following the directive of the Honourable 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. This was to ensure that deserving people were not kept in custody longer than the law allows."

"After the review, a total of 23 inmates were released from the correctional centres. The Port Harcourt Correctional Centre accounted for 18 releases, while five inmates were released from the Ahoada Correctional Centre. No inmate was released from the Degema Correctional Centre."

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

The Rivers State Judiciary is dedicated to promoting access to justice. They aim to protect the rights of detainees and support efforts to reduce overcrowding in correctional facilities through regular reviews and other actions in the justice system.