As part of efforts to decongest the correctional centers across the state ,the Rivers State Chief Judge ,Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to 181 inmates across the three correctional centers in the state .
The 181 inmates granted pardon were also disharged and acquinted from their offences .
Speaking at the close of the two_ day Goal delivery exercise at the port harcourt maximum correctional center, on Friday(11th November,2022) the state Chief Judge who was represented at the occasion by the deputy Chief Registrar ,(Litigation ) Chief Magisterate Menene Poromon said the exercise was a prelude to the 2022/2023 state legal year ceremony .
According to him” ,on 22nd of this month ,i ,the state chief judge willl embark on another goal delivery exercise as activities put together to herald the 2022/2023 legal year in the state “
Justice Amadi advised the lucky freed inmates to turn a new leaf of life and be responsible ,adding that the gesture were part of the new measures put in place to reform the judiciary system and the administration of criminal justice ,which hitherto ,has been on paper but now activated and reinvigorated
He assured that the state judiciary will do much despite the enormous challenges confronting it to ensure that the justice delivery service keep space with the global practices .
Justice Amadi averred that it was not possible for all the inmates to be attended at the same time due to the limited time but assured that more of the exercise will be conducted in other to decongest the correctional center and thanked the officials of the service for their support .
Also speaking ,the state comptroller of the prison , Mr Felix lawrence who spoke through the Chief Supritendent of Correction ,CSP Magnus Uchegbu thanked the Chief Judge for the exercise and advised the released inmates to be responsible and good citizens .
Our correspondent who covered the goal delivery exercise reports that the freed inmates were those standing trials on minor cases ,those whose case have not been going on in the court as well as those inmates who have over stayed the custody .